Anna Baran

Effect of psoriasis activity on serum adiponectin and leptin levels

Introduction Psoriasis is an inflammatory and chronic skin disease associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Adipokines, as bioactive substances secreted from adipose tissue, are involved in various metabolic diseases. Aim To investigate the association between psoriasis severity and serum adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with psoriasis. Material and methods Serum fasting adiponectin and leptin levels were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 49 patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy controls. The results were correlated with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), several inflammatory markers, duration of the disease and present relapse. Results Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly decreased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the control group. There were no correlations between the above measures and PASI scores, patients’ age, duration of the disease, present relapse and hospitalization, neither between white blood cells or platelets counts. Serum adiponectin levels significantly correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Adiponectin was negatively and leptin positively correlated to BMI at statistical significance. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between adiponectin and CRP or PASI concentrations as well as between BMI and leptin concentration. Conclusions The data showed that serum adiponectin levels increase and serum leptin levels decrease with psoriasis severity. Leptin might be useful in assessing severity and the risk of complications of psoriasis. Moreover, these results confirmed the relationship between leptin, obesity and psoriasis.

Serum adiponectin and leptin levels in psoriatic patients according to topical treatment

Abstract Objectives: Psoriasis has been considered as a systemic disease associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Adipokines have influence on many metabolic processes. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional topical treatment on serum adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with psoriasis. Methods: Forty-nine patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy controls were examined. Blood samples were collected before therapy and after 14 days of application. Serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlations with effectiveness of topical treatment. Results: Adiponectin and leptin serum levels were significantly decreased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls. As a result of the topical treatment, serum adiponectin level did not significantly change. Serum leptin level increased significantly, still remaining lower than in the controls. Conclusions: Leptin might be a useful marker in assessing the efficacy of the treatment for psoriasis.

Effect of psoriasis activity on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the concentration of soluble EGF receptor in serum and plaque scales.

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) are overexpressed in psoriatic keratinocytes, and regulate cell growth, proliferation and differentiation through binding to epidermal growth factor (EGF). The role of EGF and EGFRs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the contribution of their measurement to psoriasis management are still unknown.

Evaluation of CD40, its ligand CD40L and Bcl-2 in psoriatic patients

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease. Recent investigations indicate an autoimmune pathogenesis of the disease. Apoptosis plays an important role in the regulation of immune mechanisms in many autoimmune diseases. Although CD40, CD40L, and Bcl-2 have already been studied in psoriatic skin lesions, little is known about their circulating forms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of Bcl-2, soluble CD40 and CD40L in psoriatic patients. The study was performed using ELISA kits in 39 psoriatic patients before treatment and after two weeks of topical ointment. Data was analyzed with respect to severity of psoriasis, duration of the disease, and coexisting psoriatic arthritis. Our results revealed that serum concentrations of soluble CD40 and CD40L before and after treatment were significantly higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) in patients with psoriasis compared to the control group. Topical treatment of psoriatic lesions with dithranol ointment failed to decrease serum of CD40 and CD40L, which has not been described until now. There was no significant difference in serum Bcl-2 concentration between the compared groups. We did not find significant differences in serum concentrations of Bcl-2, CD40 or CD40L between patients with mild or severe psoriasis, nor any correlation between disease duration and the presence of psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Our data indicates upregulation of the CD40/CD40L system in psoriatic patients despite topical treatment and suggests their possible role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Serum YKL-40 as a potential biomarker of inflammation in psoriasis.

Abstract Objective: YKL-40 is an inflammatory glycoprotein associated with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. The aim of the study was to assess serum YKL-40 level in psoriasis and elucidate possible associations with disease activity, inflammatory or metabolic parameters and treatment. Methods: A total of 37 individuals with active plaque-type psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before and after 2 weeks of therapy. Serum YKL-40 concentrations were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers, lipid profile and topical therapy. Results: Median YKL-40 serum levels were significantly increased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls (p < .0001). No significant correlations between investigated protein and metabolic parameters as BMI (p = .19), glucose (p = .32) nor lipids levels were found. Significant positive relation with CRP (p = .003) or alanine aminotransferase (p = .04) and no correlation with PASI (p = .2) were noted. Serum YKL-40 level remained unchanged (p = .5) after topical treatment, despite clinical improvement. Conclusions: YKL-40 might be a biomarker of psoriasis and inflammation in psoriatic patients, but not a reliable indicator of metabolic conditions, severity of psoriasis nor efficacy of the treatment.

Effect of psoriasis activity and topical treatment on serum lipocalin-2 levels

Abstract Objective: Psoriasis has been considered as systemic disorder. Lipocalin-2 might be a link between psoriasis and its comorbidities. Aim of the study was to investigate the associations between serum lipocalin-2 levels and the disease activity, markers of inflammation or metabolic disturbances and changes after topical treatment in psoriatic patients. Methods: Thirty-seven individuals with active plaque-type psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum lipocalin-2 concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers, lipid profile and with effectiveness of topical treatment. Results: Lipocalin-2 serum levels were significantly increased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls (p = 0.023). No significant correlations with indicators of inflammation, nor BMI or PASI were noted. A statistical association between lipocalin-2 and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was shown. After topical treatment serum lipocalin-2 level did not significantly change (p = 0.9), still remaining higher than in the controls, despite clinical improvement. Conclusions: Lipocalin-2 might be a marker of psoriasis and convey cardiovascular or metabolic risk in psoriatic patients, but may not be a reliable indicator of inflammation, severity of psoriasis nor efficacy of antipsoriatic treatment.

Serum irisin levels in patients with psoriasis

Abstract Background: Irisin has been proposed to regulate metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes or metabolic syndrome which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum irisin level in psoriasis and elucidate possible associations with disease activity, inflammatory or metabolic parameters and topical treatment. Methods: Thirty-seven individuals with active plaque-type psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before and after two weeks of therapy. Serum irisin concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were correlated with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers, lipid profile and effectiveness of topical treatment. Results: Irisin serum levels were insignificantly increased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls (p = 0.38). No significant correlations between investigated adipokine and several indicators of metabolic disorders, nor BMI (p = 0.37) or PASI (p = 0.5) were found. Significant positive correlations with C-reactive protein (CRP) (0.009), lipocalin-2 (p = 0.02), age (p = 0.02) and disease duration (p = 0.008) were noted. After topical treatment, serum irisin level did not significantly change (p = 0.31), despite clinical improvement. Conclusions: Irisin might be a marker of inflammation in psoriatic patients, but may not be a reliable indicator of metabolic conditions, severity of psoriasis nor efficacy of antipsoriatic treatment.

Effect of psoriasis activity and topical treatment on plasma epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its soluble receptor (sEGFR)

Abstract Background: Pathogenesis of psoriasis involves epidermal growth factor (EGF) that participates in keratinocyte proliferation, angiogenesis and cell differentiation through binding to soluble epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR). It is synthesised by, among others, keratinocytes, especially within psoriatic skin. Objective: To evaluate EGF and sEGFR plasma concentrations during topical psoriatic treatment. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 51 patients with plaque psoriasis. EGF and sEGFR plasma concentrations were examined with immunoenzymatic method prior and 14 days after topical treatment. The outcomes were analyzed with respect to PASI. Results: Mean EGF concentration was higher in the plasma of psoriatic patients compared to the control group (p = .401) while mean sEGFR concentration was over twofold lower compared to the control group (p < .001). After the therapy, an insignificant decrease in EGF plasma concentration (p = .835) and a significant increase in sEGFR concentration (p = .017) compared to initial values were observed. The coefficient of EGF/sEGFR concentration calculated for each individual had similar values before and after the treatment (p = .009), both of which were significantly higher compared to control group (respectively p < .001, p < .008). Conclusion: Epidermal growth factor and its soluble receptor may be a useful markers in monitoring clinical course of psoriasis and the effectiveness of therapy.

Dithranol treatment of plaque-type psoriasis increases serum TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)

PURPOSE TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) mediates not only apoptosis, but also inflammation, cell growth and angiogenesis. The role of TWEAK in psoriasis remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess serum levels of TWEAK in psoriatic patients before and after topical treatment with dithranol in relation to the clinical activity of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples were collected from 40 patients with plaque type psoriasis before and after topical treatment with dithranol. The concentrations of serum TWEAK were measured by ELISA and next compared with 16 healthy controls. The data were analyzed with respect to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS Baseline serum TWEAK concentrations of psoriatic patients (685±166pg/ml) were significantly greater compared to healthy controls (565±110pg/ml). Topical treatment resulted in further increase in serum TWEAK (749±179pg/ml; p<0.01). In case of patients with initial serum TWEAK concentrations above the median, PASI after topical treatment was lower compared to the individuals with initial TWEAK below the median. CONCLUSION According to the study, serum Tweak was increased in psoriasis patients compared with controls. Moreover, dithranol topical treatment caused further increase in serum TWEAK. Also, a higher effectiveness of topical treatment was observed in case of patients with higher initial TWEAK concentrations. The results suggest a potential role of TWEAK in psoriasis therapy.

Significance of selected inflammatory factors in metabolic disorders in association with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a systemic disease in which chronic inflammation predisposes to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This relationship is determined by the concept of psoriatic march. We present the characteristics of selected inflammatory factors – paraoxonase 1, galectin 3 and pentraxin 3 – involved in inflammatory processes, in the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. Attention is drawn to their potential role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the possibility of their use as markers of early development of metabolic disorders. Early diagnosis and prevention of the development of metabolic complications in patients with psoriasis can help to extend and improve the comfort of their living. znaczenie wybranych czynników zapalnych w chorobach metabolicznych w powiązaniu z łuszczycą Significance of selected inflammatory factors in metabolic disorders in association with psoriasis Paulina Kiluk, Anna baran, iwona Flisiak Klinika Dermatologii i Wenerologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Białymstoku Przegl Dermatol 2017, 104, 50–56 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2017.66222 SłowA Kluczowe: łuszczyca, zespół metaboliczny, galektyny, paraoksonaza, pentraksyny. Key wordS: psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, galectin, paraoxonase, pentraxins. AdreS do KoreSPondencji: lek. med. Paulina Kiluk Klinika Dermatologii i Wenerologii Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku ul. Żurawia 14 15-540 Białystok tel.: +48 694 259 734 e-mail: paulinakiluk@o2.pl