Psoriasis is a common skin disorder characterized by hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes and inflammation. We previously showed that phosphatidylglycerol (PG) can regulate keratinocyte function and suppress skin inflammation. Based on data suggesting that PG can inhibit toll-like receptor (TLR) activation induced by microorganisms and their components, we determined whether PG can inhibit TLR activation in response to antimicrobial peptides. These peptides, which are up-regulated in psoriasis, are known to function as danger-associated molecular patterns (i.e., DAMPs) to activate TLRs and the innate immune system. Because S100A9 is elevated in psoriatic skin and in animal models of psoriasis, we selected S100A9 as a representative antimicrobial peptide DAMP. We showed that in primary keratinocytes and a macrophage cell line, PG suppressed inflammatory mediator production induced by recombinant S100A9 functioning through both TLR2 and TLR4. In addition, PG, but not phosphatidylcholine, inhibited downstream S100A9-elicited TLR2 and NF-kB activation. These results, to our knowledge previously unreported, show PG's ability to inhibit DAMP-induced TLR activation, thereby reducing inflammatory signals. In addition, topical PG ameliorated skin lesions and inflammation in a mouse model of psoriasis. Together, these results suggest the possibility of developing PG as a therapy for psoriasis.

To investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in general Thai population and to evaluate its association with metabolic syndrome. A total of 1,945 subjects who sought for routine annual health checkup in our hospital from 1 October 2009 to 31 March 2010 were enrolled into the study. Inclusion criteria were healthy individuals, aged ≥35 years old, and lived in Bangkok for over 10 years. Data of general health status, age, gender, history of alcoholic consumption, body weight, height, and waist circumference were obtained by an interview-structured questionnaire. Fasting blood sample was collected from each subject early in the morning for uric acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in our study population was 24.4%, being significantly more common in men than women (59% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). The condition was also associated with various features of high body mass index or waist circumference, alcohol consumption, dyslipidemia, and high fasting blood glucose. Metabolic syndrome was found in 35% and 23% of men and women with hyperuricemia; direct relationship between level of uric acid and prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed. Hyperuricemia is common among Bangkok population in our study. This disorder is frequently associated with metabolic syndrome.