ABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a disorder caused by genetic and immunological factors. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, regulates energy intake and expenditure, as well as the T-helper response. There have been conflicting reports regarding serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with psoriasis. In the present study, we measured serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in Korean patients with psoriasis. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis and fifteen control subjects were included in the study. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by an immunometric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum leptin concentration in patients with psoriasis was higher than in controls, and the difference was statistically significant. In contrast, serum adiponectin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Leptin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients were statistically significantly higher than in vitamin D-sufficient patients. Serum adiponectin concentrations showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and may be useful biomarkers indicating severity of psoriasis in Korean patients.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Adiponectin/blood , Biomarkers/blood , Body Mass Index , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Inflammation/immunology , Leptin/blood , Psoriasis/blood , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Risk , Severity of Illness Index , Vitamin D/blood , Vitamin D Deficiency/bloodABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause. The lung is the most commonly affected organ, but the skin is frequently involved. Specific sardoidal lesions are most often found on the head and neck area. The most common specific presentation is multiple papular lesions. The present case shows solitary cutaneous sarcoidosis resembling dermatofibroma, located on the thigh. Dermoscopy can help in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis. Dermoscopic findings are orange globular-like structures and linear vessels, and areas of scar-like depigmentation. Histopathologic findings show non-caseating granulomas with sparse inflammatory cells. We report a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis resembling dermatofibroma, which was diagnosed using dermoscopy.