ABSTRACT

Background:

Melasma is the hypermelanosis skin disease on the sun exposed area. Ultraviolet exposure leads to inflammation in the epidermis and dermis, one of which is marked by an increase in Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 expression involves in the production of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) that take part in tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis.

Aims and Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the differences in serum COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study using continuous sampling in melasma and non-melasma patients at the Dermatology and Venereology out-patient clinic from November to December 2017. The COX-2 serum levels examined by ELISA method

Results:

From the 23 melasma and 23 non-melasma subjects, the mean value of serum COX-2 levels in the melasma and nonmelasma groups was not significantly different (P > 0.05) with value of 82.23±61.08U/L and 52.66±28.62 U/L, respectively. Those might be influenced by the other unknown variables who were not included in this study. Based on Melasma Severity Score (MSS), serum COX-2 levels differed significantly in moderate severity (49.55±14.26 U/L) and severe (112.1±72.32 U/L) (P > 0.05) might related to the capacity of the enzyme that induces epidermal hyperpigmentation.

Conclusion:

There were differences in COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, there is a tendency that as the COX-2 level increases, so as the severity of melasma. Therefore, the severity of melasma possibly influenced by inflammation markers.