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Oxidative stress in physical urticarias
S Briganti1, A Cristaudo, V D'Argento
1Laboratory of Physiopathology, Santa Maria e San Gallicano Institute of Dermatology, Rome, Italy.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|June 26, 2001
Summary
Physical urticaria patients show an oxidative stress imbalance, with lower vitamin E and key enzyme activities. This suggests a common biochemical profile linked to reactive oxygen species generation in various physical urticaria types.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- The exact cause of physical urticarias remains unclear.
- Various triggers can cause similar symptoms, sometimes involving reactive oxygen species.
- Oxidative stress may be a unifying pathogenetic mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if oxidative stress is a common pathway in physical urticaria pathogenesis.
- To analyze the antioxidant profile in patients with physical urticarias.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from patients with physical urticarias and healthy controls.
- Levels of chemical and enzymatic antioxidants were measured.
- The profile of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids was assessed.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited systemic antioxidant imbalance compared to controls.
- Decreased plasma vitamin E, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed.
- Increased superoxide dismutase activity and plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids were noted.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in antioxidant status suggest a common biochemical profile in physical urticaria.
- These changes may increase susceptibility to oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species generation.
- This oxidative stress response could explain urticarial reactions to stimuli.