Nitric Oxide Levels in Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic or chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by typically distributed eczematous skin lesions with lichenification, pruritic excoriations, dry skin and a susceptibility to skin infections. Nitric oxide is a molecule which is produced in endothelial cells, neuronal cells, fibroblasts, platelets, macrophages and neutrophils by nitric oxide synthetase, which plays a role in important biological and pathological processes. Nitric oxide, whose release is induced by cytokines and endotoxins, is produced in excessive amounts in acute, chronic inflammatory as well as infectious conditions. The purpose of our research was to determine nitric oxide (NO.) values in patients with atopic dermatitis through spectrophotometric analysis. Data obtained from 22 atopic dermatitis patients and from 16 healthy controls were compared. The disease was mild (mild group), moderate (moderate group) and severe (severe group). Mean serum NO. levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Among patient groups, while there was no significant difference between mild and moderate groups, a significant difference was found between mild and severe groups, and between moderate and severe groups.