Background: Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the
mucocutaneous tissue, whose exact pathological course is not yet understood. Many
studies have implicated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the protective
role of antioxidants in several autoimmune skin disorders. Aim of study: is to
evaluate the role of oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with classic type lichen
planus. Patients and Methods: The study included 30 patients of classic type lichen
planus attending Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Outpatient Clinic in
Sohag University Hospital, and 20 healthy controls. Serum and tissue levels of nitric
oxide(NO),malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and catalase (CAT)
were measured in patients with classic type lichen planus. Results: The LP patients
showed statistically significant higher level of serum and tissue NO, MDA and SOD
compared to that of controls. On the other hand, patients showed statistically
significant lower level of serum and tissue CAT. Male patients showed statistically
significant higher levels of serum NO, MDA and SOD than that of female patients. On
the other hand, male patients had statistically significant lower level of serum and
tissue CAT when compared with female patients. On the other hand male patients
showed statistically significant lower levels of serum and tissue CAT than that of male
controls. Conclusions: The imbalance between oxidant/ antioxidant mechanisms may
be a primary etiological factor or a secondary possible etiological factor in
pathogenesis of classic LP.