Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor levels decrease in the suction blister fluids of psoriatic patients during effective therapy.
BACKGROUND
Involvement of various cytokines in psoriasis pathomechanisms has previously been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To better define the relationship between the disease severity and interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha skin levels, these two cytokines were measured in suction blister fluids obtained from involved and uninvolved skin areas of psoriatic patients treated with UVB, beta-methasone dipropionate and salicylic acid ointment.


METHODS
Determinations were performed by ELISA in fluids obtained from 6 patients with the Kiistala method, every 1-2 weeks for at least 1 month.


RESULTS
During the observation period, all the patients showed disease improvement (median PASI score declined from 13.4 to 3.9) and significant decreases in the cytokine levels in all samples.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are in agreement with a functional involvement of these two cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease and their possible use as follow-up markers.
Ameglio
F
F
Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, San Gallicano Institute, Rome, Italy.
Bonifati
C
C
Pietravalle
M
M
Fazio
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001768:Blister / Q000378:metabolism*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009824:Ointments; D012459:Salicylates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C011175:betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate; D001623:Betamethasone; D020156:Salicylic Acid