13660 Role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of vitiligo

It has been postulated that melanocyte destruction in vitiligo occurs because of a redox imbalance. As the mitochondria is where most reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated, our study aimed to determine the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the redox imbalance leading to melanocyte apoptosis. Our pilot study comprised of six patients with stable vitiligo and ten healthy controls. Full thickness skin biopsies were taken; two from patients with vitiligo, one from non-lesional skin and one from peri-lesional skin, and one from healthy controls.