cysteinyldopa and Psoriasis

Topics: Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Humans; Photochemotherapy; Pressure; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Skin; Skin Pigmentation; Ultraviolet Rays

The possible role of melanocyte as a modulator of the inflammation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation in psoriasis has been hypothesised but never demonstrated on experimental basis. Aim of the present study was to assess whether plasma levels of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (CD), a metabolite reflecting melanocyte activity, undergo changes in association with psoriasis together with those of typical lipid peroxidation markers thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). A group of 16 patients with psoriasis at different stage as indicated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) were enrolled against an age and sex matched control group. Both TBARS (P<0.05) and CD (P<0.005) levels were higher than controls with statistical significance. After 1 month therapy the levels of either biomarkers decreased with respect to the starting values although with marked individual differences. CD may represent a novel and sensitive biomarker for the follow up of psoriasis and evaluation of the efficacy of therapeutic regimens beyond PASI determination.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Blood; Cysteinyldopa; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Melanocytes; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Remission Induction; Severity of Illness Index; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation from sunlight can result in tanning or burning of the skin. Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB), a relatively new light source that is not yet widely available, is effective for treating generalized psoriasis without the use of psoralens.. The melanin-related metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD), which reflects pheomelanin production, has been used as a biological marker of melanoma progression, but there are no studies available on therapeutic UVB effects on serum 5-S-CD of human subjects. In the present study, we measured the time course of changes in serum levels of 5-S-CD in patients with psoriasis undergoing NB-UVB phototherapy.. In total, 11 Japanese patients with generalized psoriasis vulgaris received NB-UVB treatment five times per week, at an initial dose of 0.1 J/cm(2). The dose was increased by 10-20% per treatment for > 20 treatments. Serum samples were taken before and 3, 7, 10, 14 and 28 days after phototherapy.. After 4 weeks of NB-UVB treatment, 9 of 11 patients were in remission, confirming the effectiveness of NB-UVB for treating Japanese patients with psoriasis. Two patients withdrew before day 28 because of other complications. Mean level of 5-S-CD in serum was significantly increased on day 7, 10 14 and 28 compared with the level before phototherapy and it peaked on day 10.. Serum 5-S-CD levels were significantly increased by therapeutic UVB exposure. Sustained levels of 5-S-CD in serum appear to reflect the degree of skin injury during NB-UVB phototherapy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Cysteinyldopa; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Psoriasis; Skin; Statistics, Nonparametric; Time; Treatment Outcome; Ultraviolet Therapy

Plasma 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) concentration measured in healthy volunteers in Edinburgh, Scotland (latitude 56 degrees N) showed only minor changes during the day. However, when measurements were performed over a 12-month period a significant rise in 5-S-CD concentration was found. Skin pigmentation and hair colour were not related to plasma 5-S-CD levels. Patients with psoriasis treated with ultraviolet-B or photochemotherapy (PUVA) developed an almost two fold increase in their plasma 5-S-CD level within the first five treatments, before pigmentation developed, subsequent increments of up to four times the pretreatment level being found in the PUVA group. Dithranol treatment caused an increase in plasma 5-S-CD in some psoriatic patients, suggesting a possible association between skin erythema and elevated 5-S-CD levels. The value of plasma 5-S-CD in the follow-up of patients with malignant melanoma does not seem to be invalidated by unavoidable exposure of the subjects to sunlight in a temperate climate such as that of South East Scotland.

Topics: Adult; Anthralin; Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Hair Color; Humans; Male; Melanins; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Skin Pigmentation; Sunlight

The urinary excretion of the eumelanin metabolite 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid and the pheomelanin metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa was followed during PUVA treatment for 6 weeks. They showed similar excretion patterns, with the highest values within 1-2 wk.

Topics: Adult; Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Humans; Indoles; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Photochemotherapy; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Humans; Male; Melanocytes; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Ultraviolet Therapy

5-S-Cysteinyldopa and dopa concentrations in serum were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in patients with psoriasis treated by 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light. A marked increase in 5-S-Cysteinyldopa was found after 3 days' treatment, although no increase in pigmentation could yet be observed. The highest concentrations of 5-S-Cysteinyldopa in serum were noted after 1 or 2 weeks' treatment. In one patient who showed no increase in serum 5-S-Cysteinyldopa treatment was unsuccessful. During PUVA treatment of 3 patients with psoriasis confined to the palms and/or soles a delayed increase in serum 5-S-Cysteinyldopa was noted after 5 weeks. This delayed response after treatment of a small area of the body is remarkable, and may indicate the formation of a systemic melanocyte stimulation factor. There was no increase in the serum dopa concentrations during PUVA treatment, and dopa analysis was of no value in assessing the activity of the melanocytes. Some unexpectedly high dopa values recorded before and during PUVA treatment may be explained by the fact that dopa originates in the nervous system or the adrenals.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Humans; Male; Melanocytes; Middle Aged; Photochemotherapy; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Skin

The excretion of the specific melanocytic metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa was studied in patients with psoriasis treated by 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light. A pronounced increase was found after only 2 days treatment, although no increase in pigmentation could yet be observed. Peak values for urinary 5-S-cysteinyldopa were noted after 1 or 2 weeks treatment. Increase in pigmentation persisted after the excretion maxima for 5-S-cysteinyldopa.

Topics: Adult; Cysteinyldopa; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Humans; Male; Melanocytes; Methoxsalen; Middle Aged; Photochemotherapy; Pigmentation; Psoriasis; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Therapy