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Q10-triggered facial vitiligo
1Institute for Pigmentary Disorders in Association with EM Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany; Centre for Skin Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, U.K.
Background:
Generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in the epidermis of patients with vitiligo has been widely documented. Moreover, semiquinone radical-mediated sensitivity has been shown in blood lymphocytes of these patients.
Objectives:
To determine the possible mechanism behind Q10-induced facial vitiligo.
Methods:
This was a clinical assessment supported by in vivo Fourier transform-Raman spectroscopy and repigmentation.
Results:
Topical Q10 application generated hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) leading in turn to facial vitiligo in susceptible individuals. Proof of the basic result stemmed from reduction of epidermal H2 O2 by using narrowband ultraviolet B-activated propseudocatalase PC-KUS in association with cessation of depigmentation and repigmentation of the lost skin colour.
Conclusions:
Over-the-counter availability of Q10-containing topical formulations can be harmful to individuals susceptible to vitiligo.
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