Serum Fatty Acid‐Binding Protein 4 is Increased in Patients with Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) have been recognized as predictors of these systemic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between levels of serum heart and adipocyte fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP3, FABP4) and disease severity, indicators of inflammation or metabolic disturbances, and topical treatment in psoriatic patients. Thirty-seven patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy volunteers were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum FABP concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlation with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory or metabolic parameters, and treatment used. The median FABP4 serum levels were significantly increased (p = 0.038) in psoriatic patients, while FABP3 levels did not differ (p = 0.47) compared to the controls. No significant correlations were noted between the proteins and PASI, C-reactive protein (CRP), BMI, or levels of glucose or lipids. FABP3 significantly correlated with white blood count (p = 0.03) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.04). After topical treatment, there was no significant change in serum FABP3 [11.5 (4.9–30.3) vs. 12.9 (3.5–30.3) ng/ml] (p = 0.96), whereas FABP4 was decreased [27,286 (20,344–32,257) vs. 23,034 (18,320–29,874) pg/ml] (p = 0.12), losing its basal significance. FABP4 may be a marker of psoriasis, and FABP3 may be associated with inflammation or liver disorders in psoriatic patients. FABP do not appear to be useful for determining disease severity or the effectiveness of antipsoriatic treatment.

Decreased Systemic Levels of Endocan-1 and CXCL16 in Psoriasis Are Restored following Narrowband UVB Treatment

“…However, NB-UVB treatment led to a significant reduction in both FABP3 and FABP4 levels, suggesting an influence of UVB on lipid metabolism through these isoforms. Our results are partially in agreement with a recently published paper by Baran et al [39], reporting no differences in baseline levels of FABP3 between patients and controls. In contrast to our results, they reported increased baseline FABP4 levels in their patients, which were not altered upon topical treatment.…”

The role of lipids in psoriasis

“…The authors suggested that A-FABP could be a marker for psoriasis and a prognostic factor for comorbidities. The studies failed to confirm the tentative involvement of H-FABP in the assessment of CVD development in patients with psoriasis, however H-FABP may be linked to chronic inflammatory process and hepatic dysfunction in psoriatic patients [46].…”

“…A-FABP is also a predictor for CVD and MS [45]. The concentrations of other FABPs in the serum of psoriatic patients has so far been assessed in one study [46]. The mean concentration of A-FABP was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis, however there was no difference in H-FABP compared to the control group.…”

“…A-FABP jest także wskaźnikiem predykcyjnym CVD i MS [45]. Tylko w jednej pracy badano stężenia innych FABPs w surowicy osób z łuszczycą [46]. Średnie stężenie A-FABP było znamiennie większe u pacjentów z łuszczycą, a H-FABP nie różniło się w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną.…”

“…Autorzy sugerowali, że A-FABP może być markerem łuszczy-cy i czynnikiem prognostycznym schorzeń towarzyszących. Badania nie potwierdziły znaczenia H-FABP w ocenie ryzyka rozwoju CVD u chorych na łuszczy-cę, ale białko to może być związane z przewlekłym procesem zapalnym i zaburzeniami funkcji wątroby u tych pacjentów [46].…”