Evaluation of serum sCD40L and homocysteine levels with subclinical atherosclerosis indicators in patients with psoriasis: a pilot study

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory process associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular risk factors. sCD40L has been suggested to have a possible role in the pathogenesis, of psoriasis and is known to be associated with inflammation, atherogenesis and cardiovascular events. This study investigated cardiovascular risk factors (sCD40L and homocysteine) as well as subclinical atherosclerosis indicators in psoriatic patients and control subjects. The study included 56 consecutive patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis and 53 age and gender matched healthy controls admitted to a university hospital. Serum sCD40L and homocysteine levels were measured by ELISA. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) measurements were determined ultrasonographically. Subjects who had a history of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors and receiving any systemic treatment were excluded from the study. Plasma sCD40L levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared with healthy controls (1.33±0.72 vs. 0.98±0.70 ng/ml P=0.012), whereas plasma homocysteine levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. FMD was significantly reduced in the psoriasis group compared to the controls (3.83±5.03 vs. 8.45±7.27% P=0.0001). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated a significant association between psoriasis, sCD40L, and FMD. Psoriatic patients had higher sCD40L levels than healthy controls, which may lead to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. sCD40L may be a more reliable and early predictive marker of cardiovascular events in psoriatic patients. New treatmentoptions that will be developed over sCD40L will benefit in prevention of psoriasis and its cardiovascular comorbidities.

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis in Lebanon: a prospective study

“…The association between psoriasis and MBS has been attributed to inflammatory markers shared by both psoriasis and MBS, such as Th1 cytokines (TNF‐ α ), CRP, and IL‐6 . Furthermore, IL‐17 is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and is elevated in patients with unstable coronary arterial disease . Recently, other emerging markers of inflammation, atherogenesis, and cardiovascular events such as sCD40L and complement C3 have been shown to be increased in patients with psoriasis .…”

“…[20][21][22] Furthermore, IL-17 is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and is elevated in patients with unstable coronary arterial disease. 23 Recently, other emerging markers of inflammation, atherogenesis, and cardiovascular events such as sCD40L and complement C3 have been shown to be increased in patients with psoriasis. 23,24 In addition, specific genetic loci have been identified in patients with psoriasis and in those who display features of MBS.…”

Blood homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 levels in psoriasis patients

“…After the studies made in 1990s where high levels of homocysteine were found in plasma samples of subjects who had or would likely to have a history of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke or peripheral vascular disease and the association of homocysteine with atherosclerosis and hypercoagulability had been shown [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] , along with increased attention to the comorbidities of psoriasis, as far as we know, 19 studies have been conducted to explore homocysteine levels in these patients. Homocysteine level was found to be high in 12 and normal in 7 of these studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] . Since this sulfur-containing amino acid is not taken through diet and not producing protein, homocysteine is formed via methionine catabolism 8,11,27 .…”

The prognostic value of plasma soluble CD40 ligand levels in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…However, just as in the current study, a great number of researches have stored the blood samples at −70°C [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Moreover, in this study, the determination of sCD40L was tested in batches and was performed every less than 6 months.…”

“…sCD40L can interact with CD40, resulting in promoting inflammatory and prothrombotic responses [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Circulating sCD40L concentrations are increased in a great deal of human diseases such as acute coronary syndrome, severe sepsis and pancreatitis [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. High sCD40L concentrations in peripheral blood have also been found in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and lung cancer [32,33].…”