Is Vitamin D a participant in narrow-band ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation in patients with vitiligo?

Abstract

Background: Because of its safety and efficacy, narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy has found importance in vitiligo treatment. NBUVB may promote pigmentation in vitiligo through provoked vitamin D synthesis. However, little is known about this issue.

Objective: To estimate the serum levels of vitamin D in patients with vitiligo before and after NBUVB therapy and to correlate its posttreatment serum levels with repigmentation.

Patients and methods: Fifty patients with different degrees of vitiligo severity along with 25 age-matched, sex-matched, and skin phenotype-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Patients with vitiligo were treated with NBUVB thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels (compared with controls) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Vitiligo Area and Severity Index were estimated and then reevaluated after NBUVB sessions.

Results: Baseline 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in vitiligo cases than controls. After 12 weeks of NBUVB therapy, a significant clinical improvement and increase in 25(OH)D concentrations were recorded; however, insignificant correlation between both was observed.

Conclusion: Low vitamin D level may play an active role in vitiligo development. Furthermore, vitamin D may participate partially in photo-induced melanogenesis. Therefore, the mechanism of NBUVB-induced pigmentation in vitiligo needs to be clarified.