Interleukin-17 levels in patients with psoriasis with or without metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated hyperproliferative disease frequently associated with systemic comorbidities including metabolic syndrome (MS). Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been identified as a central player in psoriasis-associated inflammation. Objective To investigate serum IL-17 levels in relation to metabolic disturbances in patients with psoriasis. Patients and methods Serum IL-17 levels were measured in 55 patients with psoriasis (26 having MS) and 50 healthy controls using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results IL-17 levels were higher in patients with psoriasis than controls (P=0.03), and in patients with psoriasis and MS than those without MS (P=0.043). IL-17 was particularly increased in the presence of dyslipidemia and obesity (P<0.001 and P=0.041, respectively). Conclusion Proinflammatory IL-17 expression in patients with psoriasis seems to be enhanced in the presence of MS and is particularly related to obesity and dyslipidemia.

Keywords

• il-17
• metabolic syndrome
• psoriasis