A comparative study of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and nitrate levels in vitiligo patients

Background Several groups have shown the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. Methods In this study, we examined the erythrocyte and plasma activities of glutathione peroxidase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, and erythrocyte catalase activity in 23 vitiligo patients and 25 controls. Results The results show that erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels are high in vitiligo patients. Conclusions Our study confirms that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo, as indicated by the high levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate.