Comparison of Serum Cyclooxygenase‑2 Level between Melasma and Nonmelasma Patients in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia

Özet

Background: Melasma is the hypermelanosis skin disease on the sun exposed area. Ultraviolet exposure leads to inflammation in theepidermis and dermis, one of which is marked by an increase in Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 expression involves in the productionof prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) that take part in tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to determinethe differences in serum COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang, Indonesia.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using continuous sampling in melasma and non-melasma patients at the Dermatology andVenereology out-patient clinic from November to December 2017. The COX-2 serum levels examined by ELISA method. Results: Fromthe 23 melasma and 23 non-melasma subjects, the mean value of serum COX-2 levels in the melasma and nonmelasma groups was notsignificantly different (P > 0.05) with value of 82.23±61.08U/L and 52.66±28.62 U/L, respectively. Those might be influenced by the otherunknown variables who were not included in this study. Based on Melasma Severity Score (MSS), serum COX-2 levels differed significantlyin moderate severity (49.55±14.26 U/L) and severe (112.1±72.32 U/L) (P > 0.05) might related to the capacity of the enzyme that inducesepidermal hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: There were differences in COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients, but the differencewas not statistically significant. However, there is a tendency that as the COX-2 level increases, so as the severity of melasma. Therefore, theseverity of melasma possibly influenced by inflammation markers.