Detection of plasma and urinary monoamines and their metabolites in nonsegmental vitiligo

Vitiligo is one of the most troubling diseases to both patient and physician. Monoamines are chemical compounds derived from the hydroxyderivative of amino acids. They have been implicated in many dermatoses, but their role in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo remains obscure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the neural factor in the pathogenesis of nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) by measuring catecholamines and their metabolites in plasma and urine of patients suffering from NSV, and to correlate these factors with the onset and activity of the disease. The study included 20 patients with NSV and 20 healthy individuals. All subjects were subjected to plasma and urine detection of catecholamines and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Comparison of plasma and urinary catecholamines and 5-HIAA between the patient and control groups revealed a statistically significant increase in the group of NSV patients (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the patients with recent and old onset of NSV. In conclusion, the increase in the level of monoamines may be the initiating event in the pathogenesis of NSV.