Methotrexate and Adalimumab Decrease the Serum Levels of Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers (VCAM-1 and E-Selectin) in Plaque Psoriasis

Abstract

Background and objectives: The shared pathogenesis of psoriasis and atherosclerosis may be determined by assaying the levels of endothelial activation molecules. This study aimed at evaluating vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin serum concentrations, and atherosclerosis severity in patients with plaque psoriasis. It also aimed to determine the effects of methotrexate/adalimumab treatment for 12 weeks on the plasma levels of the aforementioned molecules. Materials and Methods: The study included 34 psoriasis patients (17 treated with methotrexate and 17 treated with adalimumab) and eight controls. The 10-year risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease, body mass index, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and body surface area were calculated for each subject. VCAM-1 and E-selectin levels were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Baseline E-selectin and VCAM-1 levels were higher in the adalimumab group than in the methotrexate and control groups. VCAM-1 levels decreased in the adalimumab (p = 0.02) and methotrexate groups (p = 0.008), while E-selectin levels decreased in the methotrexate group (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The results indicate a correlation between systemic psoriasis treatment and E-selectin and VCAM-1 plasma concentrations, which may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease development.

Methotrexate decreases oxidized low-density lipoprotein serum levels in patients with plaque psoriasis—results of a preliminary study.

“…At W0, the highest oxLDL and anti-oxLDL plasma levels were observed in patients who started receiving ADA, whereas the lowest values were found in the group of healthy volunteers. As previously published, the cardiovascular risk (SCORE charts) was higher in patients starting MTX treatment than in healthy volunteers (p = 0.01) (16).…”

“…Similarly, the results revealed significantly lower levels of HDL and higher levels of triglycerides in patients with psoriasis (both groups) than in the control group. Previously, a significantly higher cardiovascular disease risk (evaluated basing on the SCORE chart) had been observed in psoriatic patients from the study group who began MTX treatment than in patients from the control group (16).…”

“…The fasting lipid profiles at baseline (W0) are shown in Table 1. Patients with psoriasis had The levels of cholesterol in the study group had been published previously (17).…”

“…A detailed description of the studied groups and statistical analyses have already been published (16,17). The study group comprised 34 patients (27 men and seven women; the sex was noted as self-reported by patients) with psoriasis.…”

Ixekizumab May Improve Renal Function in Psoriasis

“…Topical drugs such as vitamin D derivatives and corticosteroids manage mild to moderate forms [ 6 ]. For more severe forms, systemic treatments such as cyclosporin, apremilast, dimethyl fumarate, or methotrexate were the drugs of choice [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In the last couple of years, biological treatments have been proposed to manage various inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or psoriasis [ 11 ].…”