Background/purpose: Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) gene induced by ultraviolet radiation controls the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are are found to be beneficial in treating vitiligo. COX2 gene polymorphism has been previously evaluated in Chinese population. We aimed to study the relation between two common COX2 gene polymorphisms with vitiligo and its subtypes amongEgyptian patients.
Patients and methods: This study included 200 participants (100 vitiligo patients and 100 healthy controls). COX2-765G/C and -1195A/G gene polymorphism was studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction analysis and the results were compared between the two groups and among different subtypes of vitiligo.
Results: Frequency of COX2-1195 AA, AG, GG genotypes showed no significant association among patients with vitiligo (P = 0.626, 0.321, 0.08, respectively); those with generalized vitiligo (P = 0.739, 0.291, 0.101, respectively) and those with segmental vitiligo (P = 0.410, 1.00, 0.676, respectively) compared to the control group. Regarding COX2-765G/C genotypes, GG genotype was more frequent among patients with vitiligo [84 (84%)] compared to controls [63 (63%)] (P = 0.001). GC genotype was significantly less frequent [15 (15%)] among patients compared to controls [32 (32%)] (P = 0.005). Generalized and segmental types of vitiligo also showed no significant difference in the frequency of COX2-765G/C genotypes compared with controls.
Limitations: Being a pilot study, a relatively small number of participants were included.
Conclusion: COX2-1195A/G gene polymorphism is not associated with the risk of developing vitiligo or with vitiligo subtypes. COX2-765 GG genotype is associated with vitiligo, especially of the generalized type.
Keywords: Cyclooxygenase; polymorphism; prostaglandins; vitiligo.