[The role of oxidative stress and iron in pathophysiology of rosacea].

Rosacea is a common skin disease of unknown etiology. The aim of the present paper is to explain the role of oxidative stress triggered by UV light and iron metabolism in the pathophysiology of rosacea. It was recently described that the number of ferritin positive cells was significantly higher in skin samples of rosacea patients compared to controls of healthy skin samples. The presence of ferritin was significantly higher in patients with the severe stage of disease. In addition, serum peroxide levels were significantly higher and serum total antioxidative potential levels were significantly lower in rosacea patients than in healthy controls. These results support the role of oxidative stress and affected metabolism of iron in etiology of rosacea. The higher presence of ferritin in skin cells of rosacea patients explains the exacerbation of symptoms by exposure to UV light, that releases ferritin free iron, which is fundamental in the generation of oxidative stress.