Evaluation of serum interleukin-17 and tumour necrosis factor-? levels in patients with vitiligo

Abstract

Author(s): Israa A Dheeb and Husam Awad*

Background: According to definitions, vitiligo is an acquired cutaneous complicated condition caused by functional melanocyte loss in the epidermis. It is characterised by milky white macules of diverse sizes and shapes that have a tendency to grow peripherally over time. Cytokines play a critical role in the depigmentation process of vitiligo and control the immune response and inflammation. Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin 17, and tumour necrosis factor alpha in vitiligo patients and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: In order to conduct the study, samples from 60 patients were collected and samples from 60 healthy participants (the control group) were pooled and measured using sandwich ELISA. Data on the patient's age, sex, family history, disease state, stress exposure, and males smoking are collected as part of the study. Results: Patients with vitiligo had higher levels of IL-17 (73.23 pg/mL ± 14.85 pg/mL versus 5.79 pg/mL ± 1.53 pg/mL) and also increased levels of TNF-α (186.82 pg/mL ± 57.31 pg/mL versus 44.19 pg/mL ± 5.95 pg/mL) compared to controls. The present results show significant difference of IL-17 levels between active disease state and stable disease state (p=0.007). But the present results show non-significant difference of IL-17 levels according to sex (p=0.257), family history (p=0.924), smoking (p=0.878) and exposure to stress (p=0.971). The mean levels of TNF-α was lower in male patients with smoking in comparison with patients without smoking, and the difference was significant (p=0.031). But the present results show non-significant difference of TNF-α levels according to family history (p=0.910), disease state (p=0.196) and exposure to stress (p=0.940). Conclusion: The present study suggests that IL-17 and TNF-α were strongly associated with autoimmune vitiligo and may play a crucial role in the condition's development and severity

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