The relationship between Indicators of plasma oxidative stress and photo aging

Introduction: Photo aging is significantly different from chronological aging in both clinical and histological appearances. It has been suggested that oxidative stress generated by ultraviolet radiation (UVR), leads to photo aging over a long time period. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the indicators of plasma oxidative stress and photo damaged skin in patients who referred to dermatology clinic in Birjand city. Methods: In this case-control study, 33 patients with photo aging and 33 controls (matched age and gender) were recruited after confirmation of the diagnosis by a dermatologist. Mean time of sun exposure in patient and control groups was measured separately. Plasma total antioxidant capacity, lipid per oxidation and thiol groups levels (as indicators of oxidative stress) were measured in case and control groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (ver.12) software. Results: Mean time of sun exposure in case group (5.5 ± 2.1 hour per day) was higher than control group (1.9 ± 1.2 hour per day) (p<0.001). Mean of plasma lipid per oxidation levels in case group (3.4 ± 1.1 mol/lit) was higher than control group (2.80 ± 0.67 mol/lit) (p<0.003). There was no significant difference between mean of plasma total antioxidant capacity and mean of plasma thiol groups in case and control groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a relationship exists between plasma lipid per oxidation levels and photo aging.