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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/BRCA-25-RA-26

Evaluation of Some Inflammatory Markers in Young Adults Females with Striae Distensae

Oko Oluebube Miracle , Harrison U Nwanjo , Johnkennedy Nnodim *, Gilbert Ifechukwu Precious , Mgbeosuru Benson Chikodi , Arinzechi Ekpereamaka Ginika , Mbarah Ifunanya Emmanuella

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Johnkennedy Nnodim , Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria

Citation: Oko Oluebube Miracle , Harrison U Nwanjo , Johnkennedy Nnodim, Gilbert Ifechukwu Precious, Mgbeosuru Benson Chikodi et al (2025). Evaluation of Some Inflammatory Markers in Young Adults Females with Striae Distensae, J Biomedical Research and Clinical Advancements. 2(4) 26, DOI: BRCA-25-RA-26

Copyright: Johnkennedy Nnodim, et al © (2025). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 30 June 2025 | Accepted: 05 July 2025 | Published: 14 July 2025

Keywords: inflammatory markers; females; striae distensae

Abstract

Striae distensae (SD), commonly known as stretch marks, are dermal scars that develop due to rapid stretching of the skin, often observed in young adult females during periods of hormonal or physical changes such as puberty, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations. Although typically considered cosmetic, emerging evidence suggests a possible link between SD and systemic alterations in inflammatory and hematological parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of selected inflammatory markers and hematological parameters in young adult females presenting with striae distensae at Imo State University, Owerri. A total of one hundred (100) participants were recruited for the study, comprising fifty (50) young adult females with confirmed SD and fifty (50) apparently healthy age-matched females without SD serving as controls. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. S     EVEN milliliters (7ml) of venous blood were collected aseptically from each participant. 2ml was dispensed into EDTA container and mixed with inversion. The anticoagulant samples were used for determination of heamatological parameters. The remaining 5ml was dispensed into the vaccutainer tube with minimal stasis, allowed to clot, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain serum. Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 and expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). A P-value less than 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. Results showed that Patients with Striae Distensae exhibited significantly elevated inflammatory markers compared to controls. The mean CRP level in the test group was 45.86 ± 0.85 mg/L versus 31.78 ± 1.74 mg/L in controls (P < 0.05). IL-6 was 8.87 ± 0.15 pg/mL in patients and 6.72 ± 0.13 pg/mL in controls (P < 0.05), while TNF-α measured 150.66 ± 2.84 in patients versus 121.69 ± 1.46 in controls (P < 0.05). This study has demonstrated significant elevations in inflammatory markers alterations in a cohort of patients with chronic inflammation. The cytokine dysregulation observed particularly involving CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α is reflective of active systemic inflammation and provides a plausible mechanistic link to dermal tissue remodeling, which is relevant to SD.

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