Markers of Oxidative Stress and Tyrosinase Activity in Melasma Patients: A Biochemical Investigation

Background: Melasma is a skin hyperpigmentary disorder that develops over time. Genetic factors, oxidative stress, female sex hormones, and UV light may all play a role in the disorder's progression. Aims: To compare the levels of oxidative stress and tyrosinase activity in melasma patients with healthy volunteers. Methods: After written consent, 130 patients were enrolled in a case–control study. 65 cases were of melasma disorder, and 65 were served as control. Homogenized skin tissues were taken and used to estimate superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (antioxidants), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Results: Melasma patients had lower basal levels of systemic antioxidants than healthy subjects. Tyrosinase activity was shown to be greater in lesional skin than in non-lesional skin. In controls, there was a good positive relationship between TH and MDA and an excellent negative relationship between GPx and GSH. In melasma patients, there were significant associations between CAT, GPx, SOD and MDA. Conclusions: Increased oxidative stress may affect tyrosinase activity and eumelanin synthesis via the anabolic pathway of melanin synthesis, according to our findings. In conclusion, we discovered a negative relationship between antioxidants and tyrosinase activity.