Abstract: Miao Qing*, Yu Wei, Cheng Yanan, Jia Mingyan, Chang Aiwu. *Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China Corresponding author: Miao Qing, Email: qing_miao@sina.com 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin-17 （IL-17） and vitiligo. Methods Totally, 32 vitiligo patients and 30 healthy human controls were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all the subjects, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to determine the plasma levels of IL-17. The relationship of plasma IL-17 levels with disease stage, clinical course and lesion area was assessed． Results The plasma levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in the patients with progressive and stable vitiligo than in the healthy controls （both P < 0.05）, and higher in the patients with progressive vitiligo than in those with stable vitiligo （P < 0.05）. Moreover, the plasma levels of IL-17 were positively correlated with the area of vitiligo lesions （r = 0.456, P < 0.05）, but unrelated to the clinical course of vitiligo （r = 0.239, P > 0.05）. Conclusion IL-17 may play a certain role in the occurrence and development of vitiligo.

Key words: Vitiligo, Interleukin-17, Immunity