Serum salusin-? and salusin-? levels in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by skin lesions and joint involvement. Salusin-alpha and salusin-beta are two new bioactive molecules. It is reported that salusins may have role in regulation of the immune system and inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels in PsA patients and to establish the possible relationship with the disease features. Material and methods: Our study included 40 PsA patients who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria and 40 healthy volunteers. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data and disease activity indices (PASI, BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ) were recorded in all patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels. Results: The demographic data were as follows: 13 patients (32.5%) were males and 27 (67.5%) were female, mean age was 48.5 years and mean disease duration was 2.4 years. Patients' history was taken and clinical assessment was performed; 20 (50%) patients had a family history, 18 (45%) patients were smoker, 19 (47.5%) patients had HLA-B27 positivity, 33 (82.5%) had sacroiliitis, 36 (90%) had enthesitis, 23 (57.5%) had distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and nail involvement, 26 (65%) had wrist involvement, and 11 (27.5%) had ankle involvement. Laboratory data of the patients were recorded; 20 (50%) patients had elevated CRP level and 25 (62.5%) patients had an elevated ESR level. The study results showed that PsA patients had an elevated serum salusin-alpha level when compared with the control group (p = 0.004). The association between serum salusin-alpha level and ankle arthritis was found (p = 0.04). Serum levels of salusin-beta were similar in PsA patients and controls both (p = 0.285). Conclusions: We found elevated serum salusin-alpha in PsA patients while the serum salusin-beta levels were normal. Salusin-alpha may have a possible role in disease pathogenesis and it may be use as a reliable biomarker in PsA patients. Multicenter prospective studies are needed in this regard.