Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome: is peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ part of the missing link?

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence points to a causative relationship between altered activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and psoriasis on the one hand, and its relationship with metabolic syndrome (MS) on the other.

OBJECTIVE

Could altered PPARγ levels be one of the culprits responsible for translating the metabolic state among psoriatic patients?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This investigational cross-sectional study included 60 psoriatics and 60 controls. Subjects were subgrouped according to the presence or absence of MS. Biopsies were taken from all subjects for immunohistochemical staining for PPARγ and western blot technique was carried out.

RESULTS

PPARγ immunostaining in psoriatics was significantly lower than in controls with the lowest levels documented in patients with MS (P<0.001). PPARγ immunostaining level was significantly lower in diabetics, hypertensive and insulin resistance patients (P<0.05). It also showed a significant positive correlation with high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and significant negative correlation with age, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), body mass index, and blood glucose levels. Similar results were obtained by western blot technique.

CONCLUSION

Reduced PPARγ could be added to the factors responsible for translating the metabolic state among psoriatic patients. PPARγ agonists can present an adjuvant therapeutic tool in treatment of psoriatics with MS.