Serum Lipid Profile in Psoriatic Patients in Kermanshah: A Survey on Vascular Adhesion Protein-1

Background : Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by excessive cellular replication. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an adhesion molecule with an enzymatic activity that partakes in the migration process of lymphocytes into sites of inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate the plasma lipids and VAP-1 in serum of psoriatic patients in Kermanshah (Iran).
Materials and Methods :  This was a descriptive analytical study carried out on 80 psoriatic patients, and 80 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum lipids (triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (Ch), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were determined by enzymatic methods. The level of VAP-1 protein was evaluated by ELISA method.
Results : The mean levels of cholesterol, TG, HDL and LDL in patients were 167.7, 123.4, 44.1 and 112.3 mg/dl, respectively. However, these values in control group were 156.7, 113.3, 45.5 and 102.4 mg/dl, respectively. In addition, the mean of VAP-1 protein in psoriatic patients and control group was 289.8 and 192.7 ng/ml, respectively. Cholesterol level and VAP1 protein in psoriatic patients were found to be significantly higher than those of control group.
Conclusion : The current study showed that the levels of cholesterol and VAP-1 in psoriasis patients were significantly higher than control group. This higher level may be account for high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among these patients and it may be useful to do early screening and treatment of psoriatic patients to prevent the atherosclerosis and its complications.