Objective: To study the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Methods: The levels of NPY in the plasma from patients with vitiligo and healthy volunteers were measured by 125I RIA Kit. The expression of NPY in normal skin tissues, uninvolved tissues and lesional tissues of vitiligo was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The levels of NPY in the patients with vitiligo of all types were significantly higher than that in the normal controls. In all types, the levels in active stage were significantly higher than those in stable stage. The expression of NPY was upregulated in lesions of patients with active vitiligo (P<0.01) compared with those in normal skin tissues and uninvolved tissues. There was significant difference of NPY expression between active stage and stable stage (P<0.01). Conclusion: These findings support the concept of neuropeptide involvement in vitiligo, especially in active vitiligo, and suggest that NPY may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
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