Vitiligo is a skin disease in which the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) of the skin are destroyed, resulting in white patches all over the body. The exact cause of the disease is not completely known, but one major hypothesis focuses on oxidative stress as a cause for [tag]vitiligo[/tag].

Oxidative stress is a reaction which occurs when there are too many free radicals present in the skin. These free radicals are highly reactive and can lead to a chain of chemical reactions causing the skin to age more quickly. Oxidative stress is tied to several negative skin outcomes.

This study examined blood levels of various minerals and enzymes in the blood of patients with either active or stable vitiligo. The main differences between the two groups were that the active group had new lesions in the past three months while the stable group had no new lesions and no progression of the disease in six months. Scientists evaluated levels of selenium, vitamins A and E, and several other enzymes.

The results showed that people in the active group had higher levels of various enzymes, and higher levels of selenium in their blood compared to those in the stable group. They conclude that oxidative stress is involved in the cause and progression of vitiligo. Patients with active vitiligo have greater imbalance in their levels of blood antioxidants compared to stable patients.

Vitamins C and E can reduce the damaging effects of oxidative stress.

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