Immunohistochemical expression of melatonin in nonsegmental vitiligo and its role in the pathogenesis: a case–control study

Abstract

Background Vitiligo is the most common skin depigmentation disorder. Melatonin is a hormone that affects melanogenesis and pigmentation. The possible role of melatonin in the pathogenesis of vitiligo remains unclear. Objective The aim was to estimate immunohistochemical expression of melatonin in lesional and nonlesional skin of patients with nonsegmental vitiligo in comparison to healthy controls in order to detect the possible variable expression of melatonin and its possible role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Patients and methods In all, 40 lesional and 40 nonlesional skin biopsies from 40 patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 40 healthy control biopsies were included. Immunohistochemistry of melatonin expression in skin biopsies was performed. Vitiligo area scoring index score was used to assess vitiligo severity. Results Melatonin expression was significantly lower in lesional and nonlesional skin of vitiligo patients (P0.05) of vitiligo. Conclusion Our results showed a significant lower melatonin expression in the lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients than controls. Melatonin deficiency in vitiligo skin lesions was almost equal in vitiligo-free areas, suggesting a significant role for melatonin hormone deficiency in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Keywords

• immunohistochemistry
• melatonin
• pathogenesis
• vitiligo