Search Results (233)

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis and periodontitis share inflammatory pathways. Current evidence suggests a bidirectional non-causal relation. However, the evidence on the effects of periodontal treatment on psoriasis outcomes (severity, inflammatory markers, quality of life) is limited. This study aims to synthetize the available clinical and preclinical evidence of periodontal treatment effects on psoriasis outcomes, in patients with comorbid psoriasis and periodontitis (CRD420261298145). Methods: Several databases (PubMed, WebOfScience, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and GoogleScholar) were searched for relevant articles, without language or time restrictions. We included randomised and non-randomised clinical studies on humans, and controlled animal experiments. Interventions included periodontal treatment (surgical and non-surgical). Outcomes were the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and dermatology-specific quality of life scores; secondary outcomes included inflammatory biomarkers and periodontal parameters. Studies were screened in duplicate, data extracted independently and risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2, ROBINS I, NOS and SYRCLE. Results: A total of five studies were included in this systematic review (four clinical studies and one preclinical studies). Three studies directly assessed post-treatment psoriasis outcomes, with two studies investigating inflammation mediators as secondary outcomes. Two studies directly assessed PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) modifications, both studies confirming PASI scores decreasing post-periodontal treatment; one study also reported DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Typical follow-up durations ranged from 8 to 10 weeks for interventional studies, to 5 years for one cohort study. Conclusions: Although momentarily limited by the small number of available studies, the results of this review suggest that periodontal treatment may be associated with improvements in psoriasis outcomes. Further studies on larger samples, with longer follow-up periods would be necessary to confirm and possibly strengthen the existing results. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and systemic inflammatory responses, which are primarily driven by the interleukin (IL)-23/Th17 axis. Although current therapies effectively suppress inflammation, their long-term use is often limited by adverse systemic effects, underscoring the need for safe immunomodulatory agents. This study investigated the anti-psoriatic efficacy of J2H-1802, a novel hybrid compound combining mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Methods: J2H-1802 was orally administered at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg during IMQ treatment, and its effects were evaluated by conducting clinical assessments, histological analyses, and inflammatory cytokine measurements in the serum and skin tissues. Results: J2H-1802 treatment reduced Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, skin and ear thickness, and splenomegaly in a dose-dependent manner. Histological examination revealed IMQ-induced epidermal hyperplasia attenuation and dermal collagen organization improvement. In addition, J2H-1802 significantly reduced serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α, in psoriatic skin. Conclusions: J2H-1802 alleviates both local and systemic inflammatory features of psoriasis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for targeting IL-23/Th17-mediated inflammatory pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, and multifactorial disease affecting approximately 1–2% of the Caucasian population. It is characterized by distinct histopathological features, including epidermal hyperplasia and infiltration of immune cells into the skin. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying mechanisms driving psoriasis remain incompletely understood. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70, are known to play key roles in modulating immune responses and inflammation. Although previous studies have examined the involvement of HSPs in dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, current evidence remains inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of Hsp70 deficiency in the pathogenesis of psoriasis using an in vivo model. Methods: We used male mice that were either genetically normal (Hsp70+/+) or lacked the Hsp70 gene (Hsp70−/−) at 8–12 weeks of age. Psoriasis was induced by applying imiquimod cream daily for 7 days. At the end of this period mice were sacrificed and blood and tissue collected for further analysis. The severity of the psoriasis was evaluated daily using the PASI Score. Results: Hsp70 depletion was accompanied by significantly decreased psoriatic-like skin inflammation, fewer histological abnormalities, and lower PASI scores. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a decrease in LY6C⁺ monocytes and an increase in LY6G⁺ neutrophils infiltration in Hsp70-deficient mice. In addition, HSP60 expression was lower in the absence of HSP70, while HSP90 expression was markedly elevated. Conclusions: These results point to a significant regulatory function of HSP70 in psoriatic inflammation and raise the possibility that it could be a therapeutic target. Full article

ABC transporters (ATP-binding cassette transporters) constitute one of the largest known protein families and are widely distributed in plants. Their primary function involves utilizing energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to transport substrates across membranes against concentration gradients. These transporters play crucial roles in the translocation and accumulation of metabolites, stress tolerance, disease resistance, and plant defense. Lotus is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb and contains active ingredients primarily composed of secondary metabolites, whose transport and accumulation require the involvement of ABC transporters. However, the function of these ABC transporters remains unexplored in lotus. In this study, 122 ABC transporter genes were predicted within the lotus genome. We identified 1~15 conserved motifs among the NnABC proteins and most of them were stable proteins predominantly located on the plasma membrane with ExPASy-ProtParam, ProComp and WoLF PSORT analysis. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the lotus ABC transporter gene family could be divided into eight subfamilies, from ABCA to ABCI, and the evolution was predominantly driven by purifying selection. Comparative transcriptome analysis between the cultivar ‘Yindu Zhimi’ with orange-reddish stamen and ‘Weishan Hong’ with yellowish stamen, along with quantitative real-time PCR results, showed that the NnABCG25 gene is highly specifically expressed in the orange-reddish stamen. Molecular docking demonstrated that NnABCG25 has a stable affinity for lycopene, β-carotene and β-apocarotenal, suggesting its potential involvement in the transport of carotenoids in the stamen. These findings expand our understanding of the role of ABC transporters in the transport and accumulation of carotenoids, as well as providing a valuable reference for research on the ABC transporter gene family in other plants. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathogenesis, and it is mainly driven by a dysregulation in immune responses. Therapeutic strategies constantly require novel compounds targeting immune modulation to substitute the current traditional drugs characterized by side effects and limited efficacy. In this study, we used a mannan-induced psoriasis-like inflammation mouse model to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of Iripin-3, a salivary serpin from the Ixodes ricinus ticks. Mice treated with Iripin-3 showed improvements in the severity of psoriasis-like lesions, as shown by the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scores, epidermal thickness, and baker’s scores. Iripin-3 modulated the immune cascade by inhibiting dendritic cells and γδ T cells expression in secondary immune organs while increasing macrophages and neutrophils in skin. On the other hand, Iripin-3 exhibited significant reductions in the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-17 family cytokines, indicating broad immunomodulatory effects. Our findings suggest that Iripin-3 offers a unique and targeted mechanism of action through modulation of the IL-23/γδ T/IL-17 axis involved in mannan-induced psoriasis-like inflammation and thus could be a promising therapeutic candidate for treating psoriasis. Further studies are required to explore its translational potential in wider clinical settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disorder with a steadily rising prevalence worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies include topical and systemic treatments selected based on disease severity and associated comorbidities; however, no therapy provided a definitive cure. Topical therapy is associated with a lower risk of systemic adverse effects, although the altered skin barrier observed in psoriasis may significantly reduce the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a topical formulation containing triterpenoid acids derived from lavender extract (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) as a potential adjunctive approach for symptom management in patients with psoriasis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Following removal of the volatile oil, oleanolic, ursolic, pomolic, and rosmarinic acids were identified and quantified. The preparation was analyzed in terms of organoleptic properties, colloidal stability, pH determination, and rheological characteristics. The clinical study included 18 patients (both sexes) aged 28 to 71 years, with psoriasis and CKD of varying etiologies. Urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (uACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were used as renal biomarkers, while high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hs-CRP/albumin, and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were selected as inflammatory biomarkers. Laboratory assessments were performed at baseline and after 60 days of topical treatment with the lavender extract-based formulation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using validated measures of psoriasis severity and patient impact, including the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: The formulation contained 1.4% rosmarinic acid and up to 8% ursolic acid (extract mass) and demonstrated good stability, a pH of 5.5, favorable local tolerability, antiproliferative activity, reduction in pruritus, and no treatment-related adverse effects. Efficacy and tolerability scores showed statistically significant improvements at 60 days (T2) after topical terpenoid administration compared with baseline (T0): PASI (0.722 ± 0.714 vs. 2.044 ± 0.690 at T0, p < 0.001), DLQI (3.889 ± 1.997 vs. 13.333 ± 3.361 at T0, p < 0.001), and IGA (0.556 ± 0.616 at T2 vs. 2.167 ± 0.618, p < 0.001). uACR decreased significantly over the study period (308.714 ± 240.782 after 60 days vs. 379.78 ± 308.81 at T0, p < 0.001), while eGFR values remained similar at baseline and follow-up. All evaluated inflammatory biomarkers showed significant reductions: hs-CRP (4.33 ± 2.127 at T2 vs. 9.7 ± 10.045 at T0, p < 0.009), hs-CRP/albumin ratio (0.105 ± 0.052 at T2 vs. 0.241 ± 0.225, p < 0.011), and NLR (2.154 ± 2.171 vs. 2.253 ± 0.256 at baseline, p = 0.027). Linear regression analysis identified no predictors of responsiveness to topical triterpenoid therapy in patients with psoriasis and CKD. Conclusions: This topical lavender extract-based formulation showed promising clinical and anti-inflammatory effects and favorable local tolerability in this pilot cohort of psoriasis patients with CKD. However, these findings should be considered preliminary and require confirmation in larger randomized controlled studies. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects the skin, nails, joints, and cardiovascular system. In this study, involving 50 psoriatic patients and 28 healthy controls (patients with inguinal hernia), serum elafin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed significantly higher serum elafin levels in the psoriatic group compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, we observed a statistically significant positive correlation between serum elafin levels and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. These findings indicate that elafin—a protein involved in psoriasis pathogenesis—is significantly altered in the serum of psoriatic patients and may be associated with disease severity. Full article

Objective: To quantify early and mid-term changes in ultrasound-detected synovitis and enthesitis after initiating guselkumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to contextualize imaging responses alongside clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study of consecutive CASPAR-classified adults (n = 20) initiating guselkumab 100 mg (week 0/week 4, then q8w; q4w intensification per routine practice). Power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) followed EULAR–OMERACT standards at baseline (T0), Month 3 (T3), and Month 6 (T6). The primary endpoint was within-patient change in 24-joint GLOESS. Secondary endpoints included OMERACT entheseal scores (activity-only; activity + structure), DAPSA states, PASI, and 6-month persistence. Within-patient changes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (two-sided). Results: All 20 patients completed T6. GLOESS decreased from T0 to T3 (mean Δ −4.05 ± 2.78; p = 0.0312) and to T6 (mean Δ −5.70 ± 4.05; p = 0.0001). Component summaries showed a numerically larger early decrease in synovial PD signal than in grayscale synovial hypertrophy (descriptive). Enthesitis scores improved: OMERACT activity-only median Δ −2.0 at T3 (p = 0.0313) and −3.5 at T6 (p = 0.016); activity + structure median Δ −1.5 at T3 (p = 0.0412) and −3.0 at T6 (p = 0.031). The estimated structural component (OMERACT-1 minus OMERACT-2) was similar across visits (descriptive), indicating improvements driven predominantly by inflammatory signal suppression rather than detectable changes in structural lesions over 6 months. Among patients with baseline PD-positive enthesitis (n = 7), PD negativity (OMERACT-2 = 0) occurred in 2/7 (28.6%) by T6. Clinical domains (DAPSA, PASI) improved in parallel, and 6-month persistence was high. Conclusions: In routine care, guselkumab was associated with a significant improvement in PD-inclusive ultrasound synovitis scores by 3 months, which deepened by 6 months, alongside an improvement in entheseal activity measures. Over 6 months, entheseal structural burden appeared stable; these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and warrant confirmation in prospective controlled studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alopecia areata (AA) and psoriasis are immune-mediated diseases that can coexist, suggesting shared pathogenic mechanisms. While Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are approved for AA treatment, their role in managing concomitant psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains unclear. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in patients with severe AA and coexisting psoriasis and/or PsA. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case series of five patients (mean age 53.2 years) with severe AA (SALT > 80) or alopecia universalis (AU) and concomitant psoriasis (n = 2) and/or PsA (n = 3) was conducted in the Dermatology Unit of Policlinico of Tor Vergata, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Patients received baricitinib 4 mg/day and were assessed at weeks 4, 24, and 52 using SALT, PASI, and pVAS scores. Results: At week 52, one patient achieved complete AA remission, while two improved to SALT < 20 (mean SALT 83 to 8.75). Psoriasis remained stable (mean PASI 1.4 to 0.5). However, one PsA patient worsened (pVAS 9) and discontinued the treatment. Conclusions: Baricitinib was effective for AA, with potential benefits for psoriasis, but it may not be optimal for PsA. Further studies are needed to define its role in multiple immune diseases. Full article

Background and Objectives: Biological therapies improve disease severity and quality of life in patients with psoriasis, but data on Romanian patients remain limited. Our study aimed to characterize patients with psoriasis from Transylvania and to evaluate the impact of biologics on disease severity, treatment switching, affected special areas response, quality of life, and laboratory biomarkers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective exploratory study at two centers in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, using routinely collected medical data. Results: One-hundred and fifteen patients (aged 2–72 years) were evaluated; 45 patients received anti-TNF, 43 received anti-IL-17, and 27 received anti-IL-23. Patients treated with anti-IL-17 or anti-IL-23 were older at diagnosis than those treated with anti-TNF (p = 0.0001). Psoriatic lesions were prevalent in the scalp (58.3%) and nails (36.5%). Methotrexate was the most common prior systemic therapy (87.8%), with no difference between the groups (p = 0.7668). Patients receiving anti-TNF therapy (46.7%) or anti-IL-17 therapy (20.9%) also most frequently received prior treatment with systemic retinoids. Cardiometabolic comorbidities, including hypertension (40.9%) and diabetes mellitus (20.9%), were prevalent. Anti-IL-17 therapies were used more frequently in patients with hypertension (46.5%), diabetes mellitus (34.9%), and psoriatic arthritis (34.9%). Baseline severity scores were comparable across the groups (p > 0.10). A therapeutic switch occurred in approximately one-quarter of the patients, most frequently in the anti-TNF group (57.8%), which also showed higher PASI and DLQI scores at switching (p < 0.0001). At 36 weeks, anti-IL-17 and anti-IL-23 therapies demonstrated superior outcomes compared to anti-TNF therapy (p = 0.045). All patients receiving anti-IL-23 therapy achieved a PASI 100 at the 60-week follow-up. Significant improvements in PASI and DLQI were observed for all biologics (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Biological therapies were associated with significant improvements in disease severity and quality of life. Anti-TNF therapies were switched more frequently due to reduced efficacy, while clinical improvement was observed regardless of lesion localization. Full article

Background: This study aimed to identify the baseline characteristics predictive of Psoriasis Area and Sensitivity Index (PASI) 90 response to guselkumab and assess treatment effectiveness outcomes for PASI 90 responders and PASI 90 non-responders. Methods: This post hoc analysis used data from a prospective, multicenter, observational study of guselkumab in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis conducted between February 2019 and March 2022. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify baseline characteristics predictive of PASI 90 response. Results: Of 339 patients, 245 (72.3%) week-28 PASI 90 responders and 94 (27.7%) non-responders were identified. Baseline characteristics significantly predictive of PASI 90 response in multivariate logistic regression were absence of family history of psoriasis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.35; p = 0.0266), higher PASI score (OR: 1.22; p = 0.0006), higher body surface area of psoriasis involvement (OR: 0.95; p = 0.0127), prior phototherapy use (OR: 2.44; p = 0.0108), and reduced concomitant topical agent use (OR: 0.41; p = 0.0044). More PASI 90 responders versus non-responders achieved absolute PASI score ≤ 2 by week 44 (95.8% vs. 67.5%) and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores of 0 or 1 by week 28 (72.2% vs. 34.0%). Conclusions: Guselkumab PASI 90 responders had unique baseline characteristics that may predict positive treatment outcomes. Full article

Background: Psoriasis involving difficult-to-treat anatomical areas, such as the scalp, genitalia, fingernails, and palmoplantar regions, carries a disproportionate disease burden and often requires systemic therapy. In this context, real-life data comparing the long-term effectiveness of tildrakizumab 100 mg versus 200 mg in patients with difficult-to-treat psoriasis remain limited. Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational study included adult patients in three Italian dermatology centers. Global efficacy endpoints included PASI75, PASI90, PASI100, and absolute PASI ≤ 2 at weeks 16, 32, 52, and 104. Site-specific effectiveness was assessed as complete clearance (PGA = 0) in patients with baseline involvement (PGA ≥ 2) of difficult-to-treat areas. Outcomes were described by dose. Results: 183 patients were included (100 mg: n = 89; 200 mg: n = 94). Patients receiving 200 mg had higher baseline BMI and were more frequently biologic-experienced. At week 104, PASI75 was achieved by 94.2% of patients receiving 100 mg and 94.7% receiving 200 mg, while PASI90 and PASI100 were achieved by 82.7% vs. 57.9% and 48.1% vs. 47.4%, respectively. Clearance of difficult-to-treat areas improved progressively across all sites. Scalp and genital psoriasis showed higher and earlier clearance rates, whereas nail and palmoplantar psoriasis showed slower and more heterogeneous responses. No consistent dose-dependent advantage emerged, despite less favorable baseline characteristics in the 200 mg group. Conclusions: Over 104 weeks, tildrakizumab showed sustained long-term effectiveness in both global disease control and difficult-to-treat areas. The 200 mg dose, used in a more difficult-to-treat population, achieved comparable long-term outcomes, supporting dose optimization in clinical practice. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with immunological, metabolic, and environmental components. It affects not only the skin but also the nails, joints, and vascular system. A total of 50 patients with psoriasis and 28 healthy controls took part in this study. Serum samples were gathered both from the psoriatic group and the control group. Serum zyxin concentrations were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results revealed that serum zyxin amounts were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis compared with the controls. However, no statistically significant correlations were found between serum zyxin levels and inflammatory or metabolic parameters in the psoriasis group. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between zyxin level and disease severity as assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. To sum up, our study demonstrates that serum zyxin levels are significantly elevated in patients with psoriasis compared with controls. Nevertheless, the precise role of zyxin in the aetiology of psoriasis remains unclear. Further research is needed to clarify the function of this protein in the disease process and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic skin disease. Although topical and systemic drugs with proven effectiveness are used in the treatment, ozone therapy is also applied as a treatment option based on clinical personal experience and with limited published knowledge. In this project, the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of major ozone therapy in psoriasis patients together with biomarkers in serum. Methods: A total of 26 psoriasis patients and 19 healthy controls were included in the study. The disease severity was evaluated by the psoriasis area severity index score and grouped as mild, moderate/severe. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), sialic acid, and Sialic acid binding Ig-like Lectin-14 (Siglec-14) levels were investigated in controls and psoriasis patients. Results: Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score decreased significantly in psoriasis patients after ozone autohemotherapy application (p < 0.005). The values of IL-1β, sialic acid, and Siglec-14 after treatment in healthy subjects were statistically significantly higher than in psoriasis patients. It was found that Hs-CRP and Siglec-14 decreased in all patients after treatment, Hs-CRP decreased more significantly in mild psoriasis patients, and Siglec-14 decreased in both mild and moderate-severe groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our research results suggest that ozone autohemotherapy has clinical efficacy in psoriasis patients, inflammation also has a role in the mechanism of action, and its effectiveness in treatment can be evaluated with inflammation markers. Full article

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disorder characterized by accelerated epidermal turnover. Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that play crucial roles in various biological processes. Methods: This study aimed to assess the plasma concentrations of galectin 7 and 8 (gal-7 and 8) in 60 psoriatic patients compared to the control group of 30 individuals without dermatoses. Results: The median gal-7 plasma concentration in patients was 188.8 (11.43–1406) pg/mL, and it was significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between gal-7 concentration and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI; R = 0.3, p = 0.0199), and a negative with RBC (R = −0.41, p < 0.001), hemoglobin concentration (R = −0.34, p < 0.01), total cholesterol (R = −0.38, p < 0.01) and LDL concentration (R = −0.36, p < 0.05). In contrast, gal-7 was not correlated with psoriasis duration or patients’ age or sex (p > 0.05). The median gal-8 plasma concentration in patients was 0.07 (0.02–0.5) ng/mL, and was significantly higher in patients than controls (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between gal-8 concentration and glucose concentration (R = 0.26, p < 0.05). Gal-8 concentration was not correlated with PASI, BMI, age or sex of patients (p > 0.05). We also analyzed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the predictive power of gal-7 and 8 for psoriasis. Gal-7 achieved statistical significance in predicting psoriasis and had an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.842 (p < 0.001), a sensitivity of 80%, and a specificity of 86.7%, whereas gal-8 had an AUC value of 0.644 (p = 0.025), a sensitivity of 81%, and a specificity of 47%. Conclusions: Gal-7 and gal-8 could potentially serve as psoriasis biomarkers, whereby gal-7 could also serve as a marker of its severity. Future studies are needed to clarify their actual role or potential as therapeutic targets in psoriasis. Understanding their precise functions may open new perspectives for personalized treatment strategies in psoriatic patients. Full article