Reactive Oxygen Species Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation in Patients with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

Smaranda R. Goţia1, Caius Solovan2, Persa Ghiţulescu2, Corneluţa Fira Mladinescu3, Ovidiu Fira Mladinescu4, Laura S. Goţia1, and Ioana Frenţiu2

1Departments of Physiology, 2Dermatology, 3Hygiene, and 4Pathophysiology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania

Corresponding author: Prof. Smaranda Rodica Goţia
    Department of Physiology
    Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy
    2 Eftimie Murgu Street
    RO-300041 Timişoara, Romania
    Telephone: + 40 256 490507
    Fax number: + 40 256 490507
    E-mail: smarandagotia@yahoo.com

CEJOEM 2004, Vol.10. No.1.: 84–87


Key words:
Ultraviolet rays, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species, porphyria cutanea tarda


Abstract:
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major exogenous factor inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) which reinforce cutaneous lesions in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) patients. We investigated the production of ROS in neutrophils by nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) reduction test in 15 patients with PCT. The in vitro NBT test was performed before and after the UVR exposure of blood for 5, 10, and 15 min by means of an 80 W UVR lamp placed at a distance of about 20 cm from the blood sample. In the PCT patients, the exposure time-dependent progressive increase of the NBT reduction (from 3.1±2.01% to 7.33±1.31%) indicated strong UVR-induced stimulating effect on the oxidative metabolism and ROS production of the granulocytes. These results obtained in vitro were correlated with the clinical database which showed aggravation of the cutaneous lesions after solar exposure. It is suggested that ROS production contributes to the detrimental effect of UVR on the skin of PCT patients.


Received: 1 August 2003
Accepted: 23 February 2004

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