Estimation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Interleukin-17 Tissue Levels in Stable, Non-Segmental Vitiligo

Background: Patients with vitiligo have disturbed melanocyte milieu either by rise or decline in levels of certain mediators.Objectives: The study aimed at measuring Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Interleukin-17 (IL-17) tissue levels in patients with stable, Non-Segmental Vitiligo (NSV) and determining if there is any relation between their levels and patients age and sex, and disease activity, extent and duration.Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with stable NSV were recruited. Punch skin biopsies were taken and examined by ELISA to detect the levels of MMP-9 and IL-17.Results: All cases with stable NSV had low MMP-9 and elevated IL-17 levels. None of them was related to the age, sex, disease activity and duration, and extent of vitiligo.Conclusion: Imbalance in MMP-9 and IL-17 levels is directly related to vitiligo pathogenesis and targeting these mediators could be a promising line of treatment.