Association of etretinate and fish oil in psoriasis therapy. Inhibition of hypertriglyceridemia resulting from retinoid therapy after fish oil supplementation.

We studied the main papers concerning treatment with fish oil (EPA and DHA) of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis and pustular psoriasis. In our investigation, 25 patients with psoriasis vulgaris evidenced a statistically significant increase in triglyceride serum levels, compared with controls. 10 of these patients underwent therapy with etretinate 0.75-1.0 mg/kg daily for 2 months followed by 2-3 months of etretinate 0.35-0.50 mg/kg daily associated with fish oil 1.5 g (EPA and DHA) daily. According with several authors, fish oil is able not only to produce good clinical results, but also to minimize the side effects of retinoid therapy, especially hypertriglyceridemia.