Assessment of acute phase proteins and oxidative stress status of Nigerians using bleaching agents

Objective: The disruption of primary innate immune function of the epidermal layer of the skin accounts for the susceptibility of individuals using bleaching agents to localized or systemic infections. This subverted innate immunity in these people may lead to other pathological conditions. The resultant effects of skin bleaching and phagocytes activation in response to infections have not been studied in Nigerians using bleaching agents. The present study therefore assessed the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, total antioxidant potential (TAP), total plasma peroxides (TPP), oxidative stress index (OSI) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the users bleaching agents. Methodology: Thirty (30) people who had used bleaching agents for average of 4.9+1.2 years participated in this study. They were recruited from various schools and markets within the city of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Thirty apparently healthy staffs of University College Hospital Ibadan, Ibaadan, Nigeria, who had never used bleaching agents served as controls. All the subjects used for this study had no metabolic abnormality and tested negative to both HIV and hepatitis B infections. Result: The mean value of TAP (p 0.01) was significantly lower in individuals using bleaching agents when compared with the controls. The mean levels of CRP (p 0.01), TPP (p 0.01), OSI (p 0.01) and MDA (p 0.05) were significantly higher in the users of bleaching agents when compared with the controls. But there was no significant difference in the mean value of albumin (p 0.20) when compared with the controls. Conclusion: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are possible consequences of skin bleaching. The users of skin bleaching agents may need antioxidant therapies to avert the risks of oxidative stress