Study of purine derivatives and their relation to renal disorders in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis (Pso) is a chronic proliferative skin condition associated with hyperuricemia that may impair renal function. OBJECTIVES: The current study investigates the correlation between purine derivatives (PDs) and renal function in patients with Pso. PATIENTS/METHODS: This case-control study comprises 30 psoriatic patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess serum xanthine oxidase (XO) and urine albumin levels. Serum uric acid (SUA) and urinary creatinine were measured using the colorimetric method. RESULTS: There was a rise in the related PDs levels in patients with Pso compared to controls, as evidenced by the enhanced SUA levels (p < 0.001) and XO levels (p < 0.001). The presence of the related PDs in the serum was linked to the severity of Pso, and there was also a connection between the related PDs levels in the blood and indicators of renal dysfunction. Moreover, SUA and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) were found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.371 and p = 0.044), as were XO and UACR (r = 0.422 and p = 0.020). In psoriatic patients with itching and palmoplantar affection, mean SUA levels were considerably more significant than those in other instances (p = 0.005 and p = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pso, being a hyperproliferative disease, is associated with hyperuricemia, which has a harmful effect on kidney function. The related PDs may be unique serological biomarkers for patients with Pso who are at high risk of developing renal abnormalities, especially with higher severity scores.

Serum lipocalin-2 levels are decreased in patients with leprosy.

Background Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae affecting the skin, peripheral nerves and mucosae. Lipocalin-2 is a key component of the immune system's antimicrobial defence - it prevents iron uptake by binding and sequestering iron-scavenging siderophores and thus inhibits bacterial growth. Aim We evaluated serum lipocalin-2 levels in leprosy patients and its relationship to the pathogenesis and prognosis of the disease. Materials and methods In this case-control study, serum lipocalin-2 levels were measured by ELISA in 20 patients with leprosy and 20 healthy controls. Results Serum levels of lipocalin-2 were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in leprosy patients as compared to controls. The levels were significantly higher (P < 0.014) in patients with multibacillary leprosy than in those with paucibacillary leprosy. Although the levels of lipocalin-2 were higher in patients with multiple nerve involvement as compared to those with involvement of 1 or 2 nerves, the results were not statistically significant. Limitation of the study The small sample size and the lack of different ethnic groups in the study were the major limitations of this study. Conclusion The lower lipocalin-2 concentrations in leprosy patients point to the importance of the protective functions of lipocalin-2. The elevated levels of lipocalin-2 observed in leprosy patients with neural involvement may be related to the reported neurodegenerative role of lipocalin-2.