Oxidative Stress in Lichen Planus

Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory, papulosquamous disorder that affects the skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails. The exact pathogenesis is unknown. Oxidative stress and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides have been implicated in the pathogenesis of LP. The aim: Is to evaluate the status of the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system in patients with LP by measuring the serum nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) levels. Patients and methods: Twenty LP patients and 20 healthy volunteers as controls that were ages- and sex-matched with the patients were included in the study. Serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and erythrocyte catalase (CAT) were measured. Results: We detected an increase in the serum levels of NO, SOD and the lipid peroxidation product MDA (P <0.000, P =0.005 and P =0.02, respectively) and a decrease in CAT levels in LP patients compared to controls (P =0.005) in our study. Oxidative stress was greater in mles than in females because MDA levels were increased (P =0.007) and erythrocyte CAT levels were decreased (P = 0.01). In addition, there was also a positive correlation between NO, MDA, and SOD and a negative correlation between erythrocyte CAT and the duration of LP. Conclusion: We concluded that increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation as well as an imbalance in the antioxidant defense system may play a role in the pathogenesis of LP. (Gaber MA and Amal M. Fakhrey. Oxidative Stress in Lichen Planus. J Am Sci 2014;10(9):75-80). (ISSN: 1545- 1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 10