Interleukin levels and macrophagic density in periumbilical fat tissue in patients affected by moderate- to-severe psoriasis with metabolic syndrome, before and after etanercept treatment

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and immunological mediated skin disease characterized by epidermic proliferation, keratinocytes diversification disorder, excessive angiogenesis and immunological dysfunctions. Lately, the association of psoriasis with several comorbidities increased. Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders can be related to inflammatory conditions in which pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by adipose tissue such as TNF-alpha increase. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between abdominal adipose tissue inflammatory state and metabolic syndrome.METHODS: Between January and June 2014 we selected 10 patients affected by moderate to severe psoriasis. Umbilical fat tissue biopsies were carried out before and after 24 weeks of treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitor (etanercept). Morphological parameters of macrophages were estimated using immunohistochemistry methods and hematoxilyn-eosin (H&E) coloration; IL-6 and TNF-alpha and IL1B were measured using molecular biology techniques.RESULTS: After 24 weeks of treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitor (etanercept), a decrease of macrophages infiltration, inflammatory citokyne levels and gene expression were noticed.CONCLUSIONS: The link between inflammatory status in umbilical fat tissue of patients affected by severe psoriasis and metabolic syndrome was confirmed.