Effect of vitiligo treatment using compound glycyrrhizin combined with fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical triamcinolone acetonide on serum interleukin-17 and tissue growth factor- β levels

Abstract

Objective: Vitiligo is a common pigmentation disorder of the skin, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. We evaluated the effectiveness of compound glycyrrhizin combined with fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser and triamcinolone acetonide solution in patients with vitiligo.

Methods: Patients with stable vitiligo treated at our hospital between May 2016 and August 2017 were randomized to a control group or an observation group. Both groups were treated with fractional CO₂ laser and triamcinolone acetonide solution, while the observation group also received compound glycyrrhizin. Clinical effectiveness, serum IL-17 and TGF-β levels, and adverse drug reactions were compared between the groups.

Results: Following treatment, the clinical effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (75.00% vs. 52.50%). Furthermore, IL-17 decreased in both groups but was significantly lower in the observation group, while TGF-β increased in both groups but was significantly higher in the observation group. The incidence of adverse drug reactions was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: Compound glycyrrhizin in combination with fractional CO₂ laser and triamcinolone acetonide solution can be used to treat vitiligo and appears to modulate cytokine levels.

Trial registration: Hebei Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (no. 2019366; http://www.hebwst.gov.cn/index.do?templet=cs_zyj)

Keywords: IL-17; TGF-β; Vitiligo; compound glycyrrhizin; fractional CO2 laser; triamcinolone acetonide.