Serum concentrations of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 and high mobility group box 1 in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo

Background Nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder marked by melanocyte loss and skin depigmentation. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) have been increasingly recognized in various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Aim To assess serum levels of NLRP3 and HMGB1 in NSV patients and explore their association with metabolic dysfunction. Patients and methods A comparative case-control study was conducted on 50 NSV patients and 40 healthy controls at Benha University Hospitals. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, and measurement of vitiligo area severity index, vitiligo disease activity, and laboratory tests, including fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and ELISA-based measurement of serum NLRP3 and HMGB1. Results NSV patients showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( P =0.007, 0.01, respectively), abdominal circumference ( P <0.001), and prevalence of metabolic syndrome ( P =0.04) compared with controls. Serum NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels were markedly elevated in patients ( P <0.001), especially those with metabolic syndrome ( P <0.001). Conclusion NLRP3 and HMGB1 play a critical role in vitiligo pathogenesis and correlate with disease severity and metabolic dysfunction.