The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis

Background Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated erythema and scaly plaques. The pathogenesis of psoriasis still remains unclear. An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant activity have been determined in psoriatic lesions. Aim of the study To evaluate and compare superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity in erythrocytes, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum of subjects with psoriasis and controls as well as MDA levels in skin biopsies from both groups. Study population Twenty-two psoriatic patients (12 women and ten men) and 22 (12 women and ten men) healthy controls were involved in this study. Findings Statistically significant decreased levels of erythrocyte SOD and GP activities were noted in psoriatic subjects. Furthermore, a statistically significant increased serum CAT activity was found in the psoriasis group. No statistically significant difference was found in the serum MDA levels in the two groups, however, statistically significant increased tissue levels of MDA were noted in the psoriasis group. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis of an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system in psoriasis.