Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a common skin disease characterized by cutaneous white macules. The exact pathogenesis of vitiligo is not yet known. Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) was expressed in the melanocytes and has a possible role in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to assess serum estrogen and ERβ levels in female and male vitiligo patients and studied their association with the disease activity and severity; to our knowledge this study is the first one that assessed the serum level of estrogen and estrogen receptor β in patients with vitiligo.

Subjects and Method: the study was conducted on 30 female and 30 male patients with vitiligo and 30 female and 30 male healthy controls. All patients were subjected to full history taking and clinical assessment; serum estrogen and ERβ were measured using enzyme linked immune-assay (ELISA) kits.

Results: Our results showed that serum estrogen level was statistically significant higher in female vitiligo patients compared to controls (46.3± 42.0 vs 30.0±28.9, P=0.028 respectively). Serum ERβ level was statistically lower in vitiligo patients compared to controls (96.5±52.2 vs 118.2 ± 76.0, P=0.035, respectively), also there was significantly difference in serum ERβ levels among different pattern of vitiligo (P=0.049), also we found serum estrogen levels were significantly higher in male vitiligo patients compared to controls (30.3 ±17.9pg/ml, 21.3±11pg/ml, p=0.022). There was statistically significant difference in serum estrogen level in patients with different disease pattern (P=0.003). Conclusions: In our study population, there was a statistically significant difference in serum estrogen and ERβ in vitiligo female and male patients compared to their controls, these results might be highlight their possible role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Keywords: Vitiligo, Estrogen, Estrogen receptor β (ERβ), melanocytes, vitiligo area severity index (VASI), vitiligo disease activity score (VIDA), enzyme linked immune-assay (ELISA)