Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor levels decrease in the suction blister fluids of psoriatic patients during effective therapy.

BACKGROUND

Involvement of various cytokines in psoriasis pathomechanisms has previously been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To better define the relationship between the disease severity and interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha skin levels, these two cytokines were measured in suction blister fluids obtained from involved and uninvolved skin areas of psoriatic patients treated with UVB, beta-methasone dipropionate and salicylic acid ointment.

METHODS

Determinations were performed by ELISA in fluids obtained from 6 patients with the Kiistala method, every 1-2 weeks for at least 1 month.

RESULTS

During the observation period, all the patients showed disease improvement (median PASI score declined from 13.4 to 3.9) and significant decreases in the cytokine levels in all samples.

CONCLUSION

These results are in agreement with a functional involvement of these two cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease and their possible use as follow-up markers.