ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome than psoriasis without arthritis. Fatty acids (FA) play an important role as signaling molecules in inflammatory and metabolic pathways. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum FA concentration in patients with PsA and to investigate the correlations of FA with the clinical and biochemical markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured 14 FA serum concentrations by gas-liquid chromatography and flame-ionization detector after direct transesterification in 54 psoriatic patients (including 14 PsA patients) and 32 healthy controls. FA were divided according to their biologic properties into: saturated FA (SFA) and unsaturated FA (UFA), subdivided into monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). RESULTS: The results were correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), inflammatory and biochemical markers and lipid profile. We observed an abnormal FA profile in both psoriasis and PsA. We demonstrated lower concentrations of 10 FA in psoriasis and 7 in PsA. Patients with joint disease had a significantly higher percentage of SFA (p = 0.016) and MUFA (p = 0.001) and lower percentage of PUFA (p < 0.001) than the control group. The SFA/UFA ratio was significantly higher (p = 0.02) in PsA than in psoriasis and the controls. In the group of PsA the concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p = 0.027) and n-3 PUFA (p = 0.031) correlated inversely with PASI. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a changed FA profile both in psoriasis and PsA and reflect metabolic status that may predispose to the development of metabolic syndrome.
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.
