Evaluation of Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Photo Dermatitis

Background: many diseases are provoked by sunlight directly or indirectly. Skin damage occurs due to prolonged and high doses of UV on prematurely age the skin. These changes are predominantly caused by medium wavelengths and can occur in anyone with sufficiently high levels of UV exposure. Abnormal reactions to UV, however, are predominantly triggered by UV-A radiation and do not affect everyone. These diseases are considered to be true photodermatoses, the subject of this article. Hence we aim to impact of Vitamin E supplements in patients with photodermatitis. Materials & Methods: 40 patients diagnosed with photodermatitis were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 35 years. Chemicals used in the present study were: NADPH, oxidized and reduced glutathione, 1, chloro, 2,4, dinitrobenzene (CDNB), glutathione reductase and bovine serum albumin (Fraction V) were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo, USA). 40 subjects with same age group were taken as control. All the patients were preinformed about the study and wriiten consent was obtained from them. Blood samples were collected from each case on day one and after one week of treatment, and from control subjects once by venepuncture. Haemoglobin levels were measured in each patients followed by isolation of erythrocytes and their subsequent haemolysis. Lowery et al’s method was used for estimation of protein content.4 The data were analysed by using SPSS PC (version 5.0) software. Paired‘t’ test was employed for the comparison of data between the groups. Results: Serum Malondialdehyde showed an approximate 35% rise in concentration in photodermatitis cases as compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity and blood GSH level were decreased by approximately 12 % and 29 % respectively while activities of Catalase were increased in photodermatitis cases patients as compared to control. Conclusion: Oxidative stress might be a responsible cause in the pathogenesis of photodermatitis. Administration of oral Vitamin E modulates the antioxidant enzymes providing relief clinically. Future research advocated.