Plasma concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α in psoriatic patients before and after local treatment with dithranol ointment

Abstract

IFN-γ and TNF-α plasma levels were measured before and after local treatment in 27 patients. Twenty healthy subjects served as controls. Plasma concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher before treatment (178.7±11.9 pg/ml and 31.9±11.6 pg/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (139.6±7.86 pg/ml and 17.1±7.7 pg/ml, respectively). After treatment IFN-γ levels were significantly decreased (151.3±8.3 pg/ml) toward the control group values and TNF-α levels were observed even lower than in the controls (11.48±6.8 pg/ml). No correlations were found between age, duration of psoriasis and plasma levels of cytokines. However, IFN-γ levels were related, although not significantly, to disease severity (evidenced by the PASI score). The data support the important proinflammatory role of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the clinical manifestation of psoriasis.