Effect of Narrowband-UVB Phototherapy Treatment on Total Ferroxidase Activity and Ceruloplasmin Oxidase Activity in Sera of Iraqi Vitiligo Patients

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder in which white depigmented macules and patches of skin appear on different parts of the body, affecting all ages and both sexes equally. Focal, segmen-tal, generalized and universal are considered the most characteristic patterns of vitiligo. One of the most effective treatment of this disorder is using light therapy, and in particular ultraviolet (UV) light. Among them narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) is the most widely used. Oxidative stress is considered to be one of the possible pathogenic events in melanocyte loss. Imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant system have been demonstrated in blood of vitiligo patients. To demonstrate the safety of using NB-UVB phototherapy treatment in vitiligo Iraqi patients. Patients with vitiligo group were treated with NB-UVB regimen as three times weekly on non- consecutive days for a total of 20 sessions (about 2 months). Total ferroxidase (activity and specific activity), ceruloplasmin concentration, ceruloplasmin oxidase (activity and specific activity) and serum copper were determined in all participants before and after NBUVB phototherapy. The above biochemical parameters were measured in serum samples of 30 vitiligo patients before and after treatment with the narrow band UVB phototherapy. NB-UVB treatment was found to be associated with a significant reduction in copper ion concentration, but no significant differences in total ferroxidase (activity and specific activity), ceruloplasmin oxidase (activity and specific activity), and ceruloplasmin concentration. The present results provide evidence which support using narrow band UVB phototherapy as a safe method for vitiligo treatment.