INTERLEUKIN-6 AND TUMOR-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 cc skin levels, these two cytokines were measured in suction blister fluids obtained from involved and uninvolved skin areas of psoriatic patients treated with UVB, betamethasone 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.