Expression of Melanocortin-1 Receptor and Serum Melanin in Canities at Young Male students

BACKGROUND: Molecular genetics suggest that hair pigmentation is related to the melanocortin-1 receptor gene. It a G protein-coupled receptor, which activated by number of peptides stimulate melanogenesis. Melanocortin-1 gene mutation tends produce functional variability in premature graying (PHG) or canities. AIM: Therefore, objective this study was determine expression and asses serum melanin college students canities at Universitas Sumatera Utara. METHODS: This cross-sectional design. We recruited 80 subjects equally divided into normal (control) groups. The sample included males, aged 25 years who had gray no history pigmentary disorders skin. Expression detected with conventional PCR measured Elisa using kit for human. RESULTS: results showed Mean ± SD age 20.28 1.99 an range 19–24 average control group 21.25 2.02 18–24 years. shown PHG Serum levels were decreased significantly (p = 0.0001) gray-haired 9.27 1.62 μg/dl 10.72 1.78 μg/dl. CONCLUSION: plays role young there low significantly.