Background and objectives: The shared pathogenesis of psoriasis and atherosclerosis may be determined by assaying the levels of endothelial activation molecules. This study aimed at evaluating vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin serum concentrations, and atherosclerosis severity in patients with plaque psoriasis. It also aimed to determine the effects of methotrexate/adalimumab treatment for 12 weeks on the plasma levels of the aforementioned molecules. Materials and Methods: The study included 34 psoriasis patients (17 treated with methotrexate and 17 treated with adalimumab) and eight controls. The 10-year risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease, body mass index, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and body surface area were calculated for each subject. VCAM-1 and E-selectin levels were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Baseline E-selectin and VCAM-1 levels were higher in the adalimumab group than in the methotrexate and control groups. VCAM-1 levels decreased in the adalimumab (p = 0.02) and methotrexate groups (p = 0.008), while E-selectin levels decreased in the methotrexate group (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The results indicate a correlation between systemic psoriasis treatment and E-selectin and VCAM-1 plasma concentrations, which may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease development.

The article presents the results of clinical trials of wound dressings whose main ingredient is butyric-acetic chitin copolyester (BAC 90:10). It is a chitin derivative soluble in typical organic solvents. During the trial, the dressings were used on wounds resulting from venous insufficiency or diabetes. The trial evaluated the safety of use and efficacy of three forms of the dressing including porous membrane (Medisorb R Membrane), porous membrane with silver (Medisorb R Ag), and powder (Medisorb R Powder). The clinical trial had a multi-centre character. Three medical units were engaged in the study. The trial included 36 patients (12 men and 24 women). The mean age of the participants was 65 years of age (age range: 26-96). The choice of dressings was made on the basis of preliminary evaluation of the wound, clinical signs of infection, or risk of infection. Medisorb R Membrane dressing was used in 23 patients, Medisorb R Ag dressing was used in 15 patients, and Medisorb R powder was used in two patients. During the course of the trial, there were 10 control visits planned. The obtained results prove the safety and efficacy of dressings in question. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated as good. In the majority of patients, the ulceration was decreased both on the surface and in depth. The success of the treatment relied not only on the applied dressing, but also the stage of the basic disease, the accompanying diseases, and the age of the patient.

Dysfunctional regulatory T lymphocytes are important for the pathogenesis of psoriasis and atherosclerosis. We analyzed the severity of atherosclerosis and the concentration of regulatory cytokines in patients with psoriasis who were administered methotrexate or adalimumab for 12 weeks. We included 34 patients with psoriasis (17 each, administered methotrexate or adalimumab) and eight healthy volunteers. BMI, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), body surface area (BSA), and at least 75% and 90% improvements in PASI were observed. The 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease was estimated using Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation charts. The plasma interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after the 12-week treatment regimen. PASI (P = .0006) and BSA (P = .0001) were positively correlated with the BMI, IL-35 (−0.38), and IL-10 (0.48) levels. Baseline IL-35 concentrations were the highest in healthy volunteers; the IL-10 and TGF-β1 level were the highest in the methotrexate group. IL-10 concentration decreased in both treatment groups (P = .02 for the methotrexate and P = .09 for adalimumab group), and IL-35 decreased in the adalimumab group (P = .019), consistent with skin lesion recovery. Thus, this study demonstrates the dysregulated secretion of regulatory cytokines in psoriatic patients under systemic treatment.

Both dyslipidemia and the development of atherosclerosis are thought to be linked to psoriasis. The formation of atherosclerotic plaques is facilitated by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and promoted by anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL). Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and anti-oxLDL levels are increased in patients with psoriasis. In this study, we evaluated oxLDL and anti-oxLDL levels in patients with psoriasis and healthy volunteers and examined the effect of methotrexate and adalimumab treatment on those levels. The study included 34 patients with psoriasis (methotrexate: 17, adalimumab: 17) and eight healthy volunteers. The serum lipid profile, anthropometric measurements, the severity of psoriasis, and cardiovascular risk were assessed in each subject. The plasma levels of oxLDL and anti-oxLDL were recorded before and after 12 weeks of treatment. During the study period, a decrease in oxLDL level was observed in patients treated with methotrexate (p = 0.02; baseline versus the end of the study). However, at baseline, the highest levels of oxLDL and anti-oxLDL were observed in the adalimumab group and the lowest in the control group (p = 0.00014). Methotrexate contributed to the reduction of serum oxLDL, which showed its anti-inflammatory effect. Understanding the effect of Methotrexate on comorbidities is crucial in selecting the appropriate therapeutic approach for patients with psoriasis.

Introduction: Among the diseases associated with psoriasis linked to smoking are primarily cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerosis) and metabolic syndrome. In addition, cigarette smoking also affects the effectiveness of systemic treatment of psoriasis. Aim: Assessment of the effect of cigarette smoking on biomarkers of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis treated with methotrexate and adalimumab. Material and methods: The serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and anti-oxLDL antibodies, IL-10, IL-35, TGFß1, were assessed in 34 patients with psoriasis (15 smokers and 19 non-smokers), and 8 healthy, non-smoking volunteers. Results and discussion: Smoking patients had significantly higher body mass index, lower high density lipoprotein (HDL), higher risk of 10-year fatal cardiovascular disease, higher IL-10 levels and lower IL-35 levels at baseline compared to healthy, non-smoking volunteers. We observed decreases in IL-10, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and oxLDL levels during 12 weeks of methotrexate treatment and, a decrease in IL-35 during adalimumab treatment, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Conclusions: Our results indicate the need for a holistic approach to psoriasis treatment that includes lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation to slow the development of atherosclerosis and increase the possibility of improving skin lesions.