Evaluation of intestinal permeability by serum zonulin level in vitiligo patients and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers

Aim: Vitiligo is an acquired disease with depigmented macules on the skin. It is known that autoimmunity and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. It has been proven that there is an increase in intestinal permeability in some autoimmune diseases and this is an important factor in the emergence of the disease. One of the methods to measure intestinal permeability is to examine the levels of zonulin, a physiological modulator of tight junctions in the intestine. In this study, we aimed to evaluate intestinal permeability in vitiligo disease by looking at zonulin levels in the patient and healthy control group. At the same time, we aimed to examine the correlation of zonulin with inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and LPS levels. Material and Method: 41 vitiligo patients and 41 healthy volunteers were included in our study. Age, gender, disease duration, family history of vitiligo and VASI scores of the patient group were recorded. Healthy volunteers were selected by paying attention to the fact that they were similar in age and gender with the patient group. Venous blood samples were taken from the patient and control groups, and the levels of zonulin, LPS, IL-6, TNF-α and oxidative stress markers were examined. Results: The mean zonulin level of the patient group was found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between zonulin level and IL-6, TNF-α and LPS levels (p<0.05). While the TNF-α and LPS levels of the patient group were found to be significantly higher than the control group, there was no significant difference in IL-6 levels. We did not detect a significant difference in the level of oxidative stress markers in the plasma of the patient and control groups. While the GSH, NO, TAS levels in the erythrocytes were lower and MDA levels were higher in the patient group compared to the control group; We did not find any significant difference in MPO, TOS, and OSI levels. Conclusion: We think that in vitiligo disease, serum zonulin level rises and intestinal permeability increases.