الفهرس 
? Vitamin DOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
V
itiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that is characterized by circumscribed, depigmented macules and patches. The condition is frequently associated with disorders of autoimmune origin, with thyroid abnormalities being the most common. Several theories have been proposed about the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the precise cause remains unknown.
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with immunomodulatory actions. It works through a nuclear hormone receptor; vitamin D receptor. Vitamin D was found to preserve the epidermal melanin unit and gain melanocyte integrity through several ways including regulating the activity, proliferation, migration of melanocytes, and pigmentation pathways by modulating T-cell activation.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the serum and tissue vitamin D level in vitiligo patients before and after NB- UVB therapy and correlate them together and with the degree of improvement. We included 32 subjects divided into two groups; 16 patients complaining of vitiligo and 16 matched age and sex apparent healthy controls.
Measurement of serum vitamin D in both groups revealed that serum vitamin D levels before and after treatment were significantly lower in vitiligo patients compared to control subjects. Also, serum vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients were significantly lower before treatment compared to after treatment. Similarly, Lesional and preilesional tissue vitamin D levels before and after treatment were significantly lower in vitiligo patients compared to control subjects. Also, lesional and preilesional tissue vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients were significantly lower before treatment compared to after treatment.
In conclusion, our study revealed the suspected role of vitamin D in vitiligo pathogenesis and the potential role of NB-UVB in improving both vitamin D synthesis and repigmentation in vitiligo patients.