Alteration of Cell Mediated Immunity in Vitiligo Patients Using Narrow Band UVB as a Treatment.

VITILIGO is considered an autoimmune depigmenting disease. There were many evidences suggested the role of T cell mediated immunity and cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease. The study included 20 active vitiligo patients (group 1), 20 treated patients using narrow band ultraviolet radiation B (NBUVB) (group 2), and 20 healthy control of matching age and sex (group 3). IL- 17, IL-10, TGF- Bi levels in skin tissue were measured in the three groups using ELISA technique. The results showed a significant increase in IL- 17 and TGF-Bi while there was a significant decrease in IL-10 in active vitiligo patients compared to the control (P= 0.000). Following treatment using NB-UVB, the results showed a significant decrease in the level of both IL- 17 and TGF-Bi while there was a significant increase in IL-10 (P= 0.000) compared to active vitiligo group. These statistically significant results suggest the cell mediated immune role in the disease and successful treatment by the narrow band UVB that altered the cytokines toxic effect.