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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