Increased oxidative stress and imbalance dynamic thiol–disulfide homeostasis in Rosacea

Background: Rosacea is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease and characterized by facial erythema, telangiectasias, papules, and pustules. The disease is more common in women than in men while affecting 2%–10% of the population. Though the pathogenesis of rosacea is not fully understood, oxidative stress is one of the asserted pathogenic factors. In this study, we purposed to assess the oxidative stress and thiol–disulfide homeostasis (TDH) in rosacea disease. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with rosacea and 40 healthy people as a control group, both in ages of 18–70 years, with the same demographic characteristics were included, who were applied to the Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Dermatology Clinic. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), total thiol (TT), and native thiol (NT) levels were evaluated by using the automated and spectrophotometric method according to Erel and Neselioglu. Oxidative stress index (OSI), disulfide (DIS) levels, and NT/TT, DIS/TT and DIS/NT percentages were calculated mathematically. Results: TAS, TT, and NT levels were decreased in rosacea patients compared with the healthy group, whereas TOS, OSI, and DIS levels were increased. Additionally, although DIS/TT and DIS/NT percentages were higher in patients, NT/TT ratio was lower than the healthy group, and these findings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that oxidative stress levels were increased in rosacea patients and TDH shifted toward DIS formation. It has been thought that oxidative stress is a parameter that may be utilized in the clinical evaluation of the disease.