The effect of topical treatment and psoriasis severity on serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis has been considered as chronic systemic disease. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) might play a role in psoriasis and its comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between serum RBP-4 levels and disease severity, indicators of inflammation or metabolic syndrome and changes after topical treatment in psoriatic patients.

METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy volunteers were examined. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum RBP-4 concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers and with efficacy of topical treatment.

RESULTS: RBP-4 serum levels were increased in psoriatics compared to the controls, but without statistical significance (p = 0.2). No significant correlations between investigated adipokine and several indicators of metabolic disorders, nor BMI or PASI were found. A significant negative correlation with CRP was noted. After topical treatment serum RBP-4 level did not significantly change (p = 0.3), despite clinical improvement.

CONCLUSION: RBP-4 might have a protective role in terms of chronic inflammation and comorbidities of psoriasis. The adipokine is presumably not useful in determining severity and the effectiveness of antipsoriatic treatment.