Sulfhydryl-Containing Foods and Drugs Linked to Pemphigus Vulgaris Risk: Study

To investigate this further, the research team conducted a case-control study involving 177 participants, including 86 patients diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris and 91 healthy individuals as controls. Detailed demographic and lifestyle data—including age, gender, smoking and alcohol habits, and dietary intake of foods known to trigger pemphigus—were recorded for each participant.

The diagnosis of PV was established through clinical evaluation, histopathological findings, and confirmation via direct and indirect immunofluorescence tests. Blood samples were collected, and serum total sulfhydryl levels were measured using a spectrophotometric method.

The findings revealed the following:

• The average age of patients in the pemphigus vulgaris (PV) group was 41.94 years.
• The average age in the control group was 39.86 years.
• Smoking was in 62.8% of the PV patients.
• Alcohol consumption was observed in 32.6% of the PV patients.
• There was a statistically significant difference in serum total sulfhydryl levels between the PV and the control group.

Based on these results, the authors concluded that compounds containing sulfhydryl groups—commonly found in certain medications and foods—may play a role in triggering or exacerbating pemphigus vulgaris. The exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood, but the study emphasizes the potential importance of monitoring sulfhydryl exposure in individuals diagnosed with PV or at risk for the disease.

The research adds to growing evidence that environmental and dietary factors may influence the course of autoimmune skin diseases. Further studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships and to establish dietary guidelines that may help in managing or preventing PV flare-ups.

Reference:

Ozaydın Yavuz, Goknur, et al. "Evaluation of Total Sulfhydryl Levels and Dietary Habits in Pemphigus Vulgaris." Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, vol. 42, no. 3, 2025, pp. 255-258.