Decreased arylesterase activity and increased total oxidative status in rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory disease with exacerbations. The disease affecting the capillary vessels and pilosebaceous unit, is characterized by midfascial erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules [1]. It is known four subtypes [2] as erythematotelangiectatic (type I), papulopustular (II), phimatous (III) and ocular rosacea (IV). Pathophysiological mechanism is associated with inflammation triggered with ultraviolet (uv) radiation, vascular changes, microorganisms or oxidative tissue damage [3]. Researches have revealed that imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant system is an important factor in rosacea. In rosacea patients, high serum peroxide level and low tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were shown [4,5]. Skin biopsy samples were taken from the rosacea patients and the healthy controls. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and SOD levels were determined. In rosacea lesions, there was a higher ROS activity and a lower SOD level when compared to the controls [6]. The inhibition of ROS activity in neutrophils with various topical and systemic drugs used in the treatment of rosacea supports the “oxidative stress phenomenon” hypothesis [7-9]. On the other hand, PON1 is an enzyme having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and it was found that serum PON1 levels decreased in rosacea [10].