beta-carotene and Psoriasis

Topics: beta Carotene; Biochemistry; Ficusin; Free Radicals; Humans; Light; Models, Chemical; Nucleic Acids; Oxygen; Photolysis; Phototherapy; Psoriasis; Radiation, Ionizing; Solvents; Spectrophotometry

Synthetic retinoids are one of the mainstay treatments of psoriasis. However, their use is occasionally limited by adverse effects, especially mucocutaneous, hepatic, and lipid profile toxicity. Thus, a search for retinoid metabolites that are both safe and active is essential. The alga Dunaliella bardawil is a natural source of the retinoid precursor 9-cis β-carotene that has a good adverse effect profile.. To test the effect of the alga Dunaliella bardawil on psoriasis.. Thirty-four adult patients with mild, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis were included in this monocentric, prospective, randomized, double-blinded pilot study. Patients received either capsules of the alga D. bardawil or starch powder capsules, as the placebo, for 12 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated by changes in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores. Safety of the treatment was evaluated.. At the end of 6 weeks, the reduction in the mean PASI score was significantly higher in the Dunaliella group than in the placebo group (61.3% vs 34%, respectively, p = 0.002). The DLQI change did not reach significance (8.5% and 5.9% in the Dunaliella and in the control group, respectively, p = 0.9). We observed no significant change in the liver function tests or in the lipid profile.. 9-cis β-carotene, in the form of D. bardawil, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with mild, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis. A larger study is warranted.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Chlorophyta; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Powders; Prospective Studies; Psoriasis; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

The aim of this research was to determine levels in blood of vitamin E, beta carotene, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in patients with psoriasis. Studies were carried out on 34 patients with moderate and severe psoriases and healthy age-matched controls. Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma samples from healthy and patient subjects were taken. Levels of GSH and the activity of GSH-Px in both plasma and RBC samples were significantly (P<0.001) lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls, whereas beta carotene levels in plasma and MDA levels in RBC samples were significantly (P<0.01, P<0.001) higher in patients with psoriasis than in controls. However, vitamin E and MDA levels in plasma did not differ statistically. Although being far from conclusive, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidants in psoriasis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Child; Erythrocyte Count; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Reference Values; Vitamin E

A randomised study of beta-carotene/canthaxanthin or placebo in chronic plaque psoriasis has failed to show any significant difference in the time to clearing and in the total accumulative dose required. Orange discolouration and hyperpigmentation of the skin occurred in the test group. In patients studied outside the randomised comparison, 2 patients who had not been able to tolerate PUVA therapy because of burning were subsequently able to do so when beta-carotene/canthaxanthin was added to their treatment regimen.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Chronic Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Photochemotherapy; Placebos; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Time Factors

We have conducted a case-control study to explore the relation between the consumption of selected foods and psoriasis. The out-patient services of nine teaching hospitals and five general hospitals in northern and southern Italy took part. Cases were newly diagnosed psoriatics with a history of skin problems of no more than 2 years. As controls, we selected subjects with newly diagnosed skin conditions, other than psoriasis, who were seen in the same out-patient clinics. Inclusion of cases and controls was limited to the age group 16-65 years. A total of 316 psoriatics and 366 controls were recruited. Anthropometric measures, including height and weight, were obtained. Diet was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Psoriasis appeared to be positively associated with body mass index (chi 2(1) trend 4.3, P < 0.05). Significant inverse relations with psoriasis were also observed for the intake of carrots (chi 2(1) trend 4.8, P < 0.05), tomatoes (chi 2(1) trend 26.3, P < 0.01), fresh fruit (chi 2(1) trend 11.7, P < 0.01) and index of beta-carotene intake (chi 2(1) trend 9.1, P < 0.01). Although largely explorative, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of diet in psoriasis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Female; Fruit; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Risk Factors; Vegetables; Vitamin A

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Vitamin A