Serum levels of visfatin and omentin-1 in patients with psoriasis and their relation to disease severity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The association of the novel adipokines visfatin and omentin-1 with psoriasis is still obscure. Data concerning other inflammatory diseases suggest a possible role of these adipokines in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate serum levels of visfatin and omentin-1 in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls, and to consider their relation to disease duration, disease severity and obesity markers. METHODS: Visfatin and omentin-1 concentrations were measured in 46 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and 42 healthy controls by using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis showed considerably higher serum levels of visfatin than healthy controls with significant positive correlation with disease severity and duration. They also showed lower levels of ominten-1 compared with healthy controls with significant inverse correlation with body mass index and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Coordinated roles for visfatin and omentin-1 are suggested in the modulation of the inflammatory environment in patients with psoriasis. Given the significant relations of omentin-1 with obesity markers, the health consequences of excessive weight should be better communicated to patients with psoriasis.