Antioxidant activity in melasma

Background and Design: Melasma is a common, symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular brown to gray-brown macules on the face. It is frequently associated with pregnancy and oral contraceptive consumption. Sunlight and genetic factors play major roles in the pathogenesis of melasma. Human skin exposed to ultraviolet light or environmental oxidizing pollutants become a preferred target of oxidative stress. Topical and oral antioxidants are used to treat melasma. To investigate serum antioxidant capacity in patients with melasma and relationship between antioxidant levels and melasma severity. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine cases of melasma and 35 controls were included in the study. Each patient's skin pigmentation was assessed using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) and mexameter reading. Serum trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total antioxidant activity (TAOA), and ferric reducing power (FRAP) were evaluated in patients and controls by spectrophotometric method. Results: TEAC levels were higher in patients than in controls (p<0.00). However, there was no statistically significant relationship of MASI with TEAC, TAOA and, FRAP. Conclusion: According to our results, there is not a strong relationship between serum antioxidants and melasma severity. Therefore, we propose that antioxidant therapy may not be necessary in patients with melasma.