Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine- Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It occurs due to the action of autoantibodies against various keratinocyte self-antigens. Antimitochondrial autoantibodies were detected in PV. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a member of the mitochondrial respiratory chain that is involved in cellular metabolism including apoptosis. Objective: to assess the level of CoQ10, both in serum and tissue, in PV patients versus healthy controls to determine its relevance to the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: A case control study included twenty patients with pemphigus vulgaris and twenty age- and sex-matched controls. Blood and skin samples were collected for the measurement of CoQ10 level by ELISA. Results: CoQ10 was significantly lower both in serum and tissue of PV patients compared to controls (p=0.001). Similar results were found when gender subgroups were compared separately. A significant positive correlation was found between serum and tissue CoQ10 levels in controls but not in PV patients (p=0.019, r=0.521). Conclusion: CoQ10 appears to be one of the victims of the autoimmune response in PV, adding to the tissue damage caused by autoantibodies. CoQ10 supplementation might be of value in the treatment of PV

Issued also as CD