The relationship between non-segmental Vitiligo, HLA genotype and oxidative stress

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterised by acquired loss of melanocytes. Although the pathogenesis of vitiligo remains unknown, oxidative stress and autoimmune dysregulations are considered to play a role.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the HLA profile and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and their relationship to clinical characteristic of vitiligo patients.

Methods: Ninety-one vitiligo patients and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. We analysed HLA allele frequencies using sequence-specific oligonucleotide Prob (SSOP) method. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured and compared between vitiligo patients and controls.

Results: HLA-A*02 allele frequency was increased (OR = 1.6, CI = 1.12-2.24, P = .009), HLA-A*11 (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.32-0.91, P = .019) and HLA-DRB1*01 (OR = 0.39, CI = 0.16-0.92, P = .029) frequencies were decreased in vitiligo patients. HLA-A*02 allele especially increased the risk of late onset (Vitiligo onset >30 years of age) vitiligo (OR:3.67, 95% CI: 1.63-8.26, P = .002). Serum TAC levels were similar between vitiligo patients and healthy controls but TAC levels were significantly lower in patients who did not have an HLA-DRB1*01 allele (1.52 vs 1.61, P = .033).

Conclusion: Our study showed that HLA-A*02 increases, HLA-A*11 and HLA-DRB1*01 decreases vitiligo susceptibility in Turkish patients as well as a possible relationship between HLA and TAC.