Impact of Psoriasis Treatments on Serum Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Soluble Receptors (Receptors 1&2) in Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a skin disease that is characterized by a chronic relapsing nature, although the clinical diagnosis of psoriasis is easy to make , it is hard to manage satisfactorily. dysregulated angiogenesis has been detected in inflammatory diseases and might be a cause of chronic cutaneous inflammation in psoriasis.

Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is a first option treatment for severe psoriasis due to its efficacy and safety. It applied either as monotherapy or in combination with topical ointments, oral retinoids and/or biologic agents.

The objective of the study to evaluate the efficacy and impact of psoriasis  treatment (narrowband UVB phototherapy and/or topical treatment) on serum concentrations of VEGF and its soluble receptors(VEGFR1 and VEGFR2)  and compare post treatment levels of these parameters with the controls.

One hundred consenting psoriatic patients (males and females) aged 20-60 years who attended different medical centers including Al-Sadr Medical City and department of laser research in AL-Najaf city and Marjan Medical City in AL-Hilla -Iraq. Psoriasis area and severity index assessment was done for each patient. Blood samples was collected for vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors (1&2 ) measurement.

Psoriasis is chronic disease as the majority of the patients had disease duration of more than two years. Serum VEGF, sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as their level are significantly elevated in severe form of psoriasis and both topical treatment and NB-UVB are effective in the management of psoriatic patients.

Keywords: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor, serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, Serum vascular endothelial growth receptor 2,Psoriasis area and severity index,  Psoriasis, NBUVB.

List of abbreviation: sVEGFR= serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, PASI = Psoriasis area and severity index, SD=standard deviation , ECs=endothelial cells. ELISA= Enzyme Linked Immuno Linked Sorbant Assay. NB-UVB=narrow band ultra violet phototherapy.