Association between spectrophotometric assayed of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd) enzyme and vitiligo

Abstract

Introduction: Vitiligo is a relatively common and acquired disease with an uncertain cause. Therefore, it is essential to identify effective factors and prevent them. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and vitiligo disease by spectrophotometry. Methods: This study was performed on 104 individuals (51 patients with vitiligo and 53 controls). After obtaining patients' satisfaction and recording the patients' demographic data, serum G6PD levels were measured and recorded. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to compare the data. Results: The study showed that G6PD levels were significantly lower in patients with vitiligo than in healthy subjects (292.37 vs. 298.58 U/g Hb) (P<0.001), and by grouping patients in the terms of vitiligo type, the G6PD levels had a reverse and significant relation with vitiligo severity (among patients with limited vitiligo (r=-0.499, P=0.006) and with generalized vitiligo (r=-0.906, P=0.005)). In other words, the level of G6PD decreases by increasing severity of vitiligo disease. Conclusion: Among patients with vitiligo, an examination of effective treatments for increasing G6PD levels or the use of treatments to reduce excessive levels of G6PD may be a new therapeutic approach. © 2018, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.