Association study between catalase gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to vitiligo in Korean population

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by well-circumscribed depigmented patches. Autoimmune, self-destruction, neural, and genetic theories have been proposed for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the physiology of cell damage, and catalase is known to regulate oxidative stress. Reduced catalase enzyme activity and accumulation of excessive hydrogen peroxide were observed in vitiligo. To examine whether catalase gene polymorphisms are associated with vitiligo patients in Korean population, we investigated two CAT gene polymorphisms including (T/C) BstX I (A/T) Hinf I in 118 vitiligo patients and 200 healthy volunteers. The CAT gene genotype distribution and allele frequency were not significantly different between vitiligo patients and healthy controls. But, the haplotype of two polymorphisms was associated with vitiligo. This study suggests possible association between the CAT gene and the vitiligo susceptibility.