Plasma Levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Interferon-gamma, C-Reactive Protein, 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol and Cortisol in Female Users of Bleaching Creams

Abstract

Background: Skin bleaching is a public health problem associated with several adverse health effects. Although reports have shown that certain chemical constituents of the bleaching creams disrupt the innate immunity of the skin, their effects on systemic inflammatory processes and cholesterol metabolism have not been well researched into in Nigerians using bleaching creams. This study was designed to determine the plasma levels of selected markers of inflammation and metabolites of cholesterol metabolism in users of bleaching creams.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight females who have used bleaching creams for at least, 2 years were enrolled into this study. Twenty age- and sex-matched non-bleaching females served as the controls. Plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), C-reactive protein (CRP), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHCC), and cortisol were determined using ELISA while the plasma level of total cholesterol (TC) was determined using spectrophotometry.

Results: Plasma levels of TNF-α, TC and cortisol were significantly lower, while the CRP level was significantly higher in users of bleaching creams compared with the controls. The plasma levels of IFN-γ and 25-OHCC were not significantly different in users of bleaching creams compared with the controls. The exposure duration had significant negative correlation with plasma levels of cholesterol and cortisol but a significant positive correlation with CRP in users of bleaching agents.

Conclusion: There is alteration in the plasma levels of inflammatory markers and cholesterol metabolites in users of bleaching creams. There is therefore, the need for public health interventions to prevent and discourage the use of bleaching creams among Nigerians.