Professional paper
Hepato-Splenic and Lipid Profile Abnormalities – Do They Exist in Children Affected with Vitiligo?
Aldona Pietrzak
; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Joanna Bartosińska
; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Ewa Dybiec
; Department of Paediatric Radiology Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Grażyna Chodorowska
; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Dorota Krasowska
; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Jana Hercogova
; Department of Dermatology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University Prague, Bulovka University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
Torello Lotti
; Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Division of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Abstract
Autoimmune disturbances and metabolic abnormalities observed
in vitiligo, a disease of still unclear etiology, may provide evidence on
the systemic nature of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess functional
and morphological parameters of the liver and spleen, as well as the
lipid profile in vitiligo-affected children, in order to ascertain whether any
metabolic abnormalities or structural changes in these organs accompanied
the course of vitiligo. The study included 34 patients with vitiligo hospitalized
at the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of Lublin and a
control group of 35 healthy individuals, aged 7-15 years. Children with the active
phase of vitiligo and at least 6 month history of vitiligo lesions were studied.
Ultrasound examination of the liver and spleen enabled assessment of the
size and parenchyma of the organs. Liver and spleen functions were assessed
by means of the following additional examinations: blood test, transaminases,
protein electrophoresis, lipid profile, autoantibodies, and HCV antibodies. The
size of the liver was not significantly different in the vitiligo and control groups.
The ultrasonographic pictures of the spleen revealed no abnormalities in organ
size and structure. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol was significantly
lower, whereas the concentration of LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher
in patients with vitiligo than in healthy controls. The value of the LDL/HDL ratio
was significantly higher in vitiligo patients. The results of our study indicate
lipid disturbances in vitiligo-affected children. Since no structural and functional
abnormalities in the liver and spleen were found, it seems likely that
lipid disturbances in vitiligo may result from disturbed metabolic processes in
the adipose tissue as well as from oxidative stress.
Keywords
vitiligo; lipids; liver; spleen; melanocytes
Hrčak ID:
121304
URI
Publication date:
15.5.2014.
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