Study of oxidative stress in patients of psoriasis

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Psoriasis is a well-recognized chronic inflammatory papulosquamous disorder characterized by the formation of salmon colored papules and plaques with silvery white scales. The aim of this study was to do a comparative evaluation of the parameters of oxidative stress, namely glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in patients of psoriasis with normal healthy subjects</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 60 subjects in the age group of 30-70 years were included in the study; Group A consisted of 30 newly diagnosed psoriasis patients presenting to the Dermatology OPD and Group B consisted of 30 normal healthy individuals. Thorough history taking and clinical examination were done. The punch biopsy was performed for histopathological examination and markers of oxidative stress were measured in each case and these values were then compared to healthy controls and statistical analysis was performed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> On comparison of the two groups, the levels of anti-oxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be decreased in psoriasis patients (168.46±51.89 U/ml and 4121.63±1812.53 U/ml respectively) as compared to controls (237±39.30 U/ml and 8435±1397.54 U/ml respectively) which was statistically highly significant (p <0.001) and the level of pro-oxidant malondialdehyde was found to be increased in patients of psoriasis (0.42±0.13 nmol/ml) in contrast to controls (0.08±0.06 nmol/ml)which was also statistically highly significant (p <0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Keeping in consideration the increased oxidative stress in the patients of psoriasis, the anti-oxidant drugs can form an important part of the therapeutic ladder of psoriasis. </p>