Serum TNF-α, IL-6 and Resistin Levels in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Background and Design: Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin. Despite previous extensive studies, etiology is still unclear. Obesity is a significant risk factor for psoriasis and body mass index (BMI) correlates with the disease severity. In recent years, the relationship between psoriasis and adipose tissue cytokines has been reported. Therefore, in this study we aimed to determine the levels of adipose tissue cytokines INF-alpha, IL-6 and resistin in psoriasis patients and to evaluate their relation with disease severity. Material and Methods: Our study was performed between January 2010 and February 2010 on a total of 40 patients who were admitted to Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School Clinic of Dermatology with complaints of psoriasis. Additionally, forty healthy individuals whose age, gender and BMI did not differ from the patients' ones formed the control group. INF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin levels were measured in both the patients diagnosed with psoriasis and the control group using ELISA methods. The t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to examine the differences between the two groups. Results: In our study TNF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin levels were all significantly elevated in the patient group, and serum IL-6 and resistin correlated with disease severity. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score showed statistically significant association with IL-6 and resistin levels. Furthermore, it was detected that BMI did not correlate with serum INF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin levels. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that INF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin play a part in psoriasis etiopathogenesis, and IL-6 and resistin can be used as markers to assess the severity of the disease Also, our study showed that the elevation in serum INF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin levels is independent from the increase in adipose tissue. Larger studies are needed to support our findings.