Revista de Dermatologia e Doenças Dermatológicas

Melanocytes and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Christian Diehl

Melanocytes are the site of melanogenesis, a chemical reaction leading to the production of melanin. By its characteristics, melanogenesis submits the melanocytes to constant oxidative stress, which can be an essential causative factor for various pigmentary diseases such as vitiligo, melasma or melanoma. The same initial cause, oxidative stress, can lead to either hypopigmentation, or hyperpigmentation or even a carcinogenic process. Phototypes present different susceptibilities to each of these diseases, originally caused by a prooxidant/antioxidant imbalance. In any case, administration of antioxidants appears to be helpful in their treatment