A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends in Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Psoriasis is a frequent form of chronic inflammation in dermatology that is unmistakably linked to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its elements. This study was to explore the current status and new developments in the global research, and the holistic landscape of this field more intuitively through bibliometric analysis of scientific output and activity. Methods: Publications regarding psoriasis and MetS were searched and chosen from the database of the Web of Science Core Collection. Excel 2019, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software were utilized to conduct bibliometric analysis. Results: There were 1096 publications included. The scientific outputs in this field had increased from 2004 to 2022, and the expansion could continue in the following years. The United States contributed the most publications (241, 21.99%) and had the most citation frequency (13,489 times). The University of California System was the most productive affiliation. Girolomoni G., Armstrong A.W., Gisondi P. and Gelfand J.M. were key and influential researchers. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published the greatest number of articles (65 articles). By analyzing keyword frequency and clustering, we have identified the following areas of research interest and frontiers: prevalence, risk, association, gene expression, waist circumference, adipose tissue inflammation, vascular inflammation, cardiovascular disease, psoriatic arthritis, and fibrosis. Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis elucidates research domain of psoriasis and MetS, portraying present hotspots and future emerging trends. This field has generated significant interest and displays potential for further growth. The United States has made distinguished contributions, and currently dominates this field.

Leptin induces altered differentiation of keratinocytes by inducing insulin resistance: implications for metabolic syndrome-induced resistance of psoriatic therapy.

Background: Psoriatic patients tend to develop metabolic syndrome (MS). MS accelerates psoriasis, but the exact molecular mechanisms are poorly understood.Objectives: We aim to investigate the impact of leptin on keratinocyte insulin sensitivity and explore its underlying molecular mechanism, which might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.Methods: ELISA and immunohistochemistry were applied respectively to detect the level of leptin in serum and in lesion of psoriatic patients with and without MS. The HaCaT cell line was cultured and western-blot assay was performed to assess the change of insulin sensibility. q-PCR and western-blot assay were applied to detect the SOCS3 expressions. Knockdown of SOCS3 were generated in HaCaT cell line by siRNA. Leptin and insulin were treated for 6 days and K10 expression was evaluated by western-blot assay.Results: Patients with MS had higher level of leptin in serum and lesions than their counterparts without MS. Serum levels of leptin was negatively correlated to PASI decline index in psoriatic patients. Long-term treatment of leptin induced insulin resistance in HaCaT cell line, as indicated by elevated expression of p-IRS-1 (ser636) and lower p-PKB (ser473). Leptin treatment up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SOCS3. Knockdown of SOCS3 blocked the effect of leptin-induced insulin resistance. Leptin treatment attenuated insulin-elicited K10 expression.Conclusions: Leptin induces insulin resistance by upregulating SOCS3 and give rise to differentiation disorder of keratinocyte. Insulin resistance may serve as a target for anti-psoriatic therapies.

Higher IL-9 Level is Associated with Psoriasis Vulgaris Complicated by Metabolic Syndrome.

Purpose: The underlying pathophysiology linking psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is not fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the serum level of interleukin (IL)-9 and tissue levels of IL-9 and its receptor in PV patients with MetS and analyze the correlation of IL-9 levels with psoriasis disease severity and MetS. Methods: This study enrolled 75 PV patients with MetS, 57 PV patients without MetS, 20 healthy blood donors, and 7 healthy skin donors. Clinical, socio-demographic, and anthropometric data were obtained from all individuals. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile levels, and serum levels of IL-9 and IL-17A were measured. The expression of IL-9 and its receptor in skin specimens in PV patients and healthy controls was determined using immunohistochemistry. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes were stimulated with five pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, oncostatin M, IL-22, IL-17A, and IL-1α) to establish a psoriatic keratinocyte model and subsequently treated with IL-9. Their mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides and chemokines were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Serum level of IL-9 and tissue levels of IL-9 and its receptor were upregulated in PV patients with MetS. IL-9 level was positively correlated to IL-17A level; however, no significant correlation of IL-9 level with psoriasis area severity index was observed. IL-9 level had a positive correlation with the presence of MetS and its components. Correspondingly, IL-9 level positively correlated with waist circumference, body mass index, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, blood pressure, and triglyceride level and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Additionally, IL-9 stimulated the expression of antimicrobial peptides and chemokines in a psoriatic keratinocyte model. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that higher IL-9 level is associated with PV complicated by MetS, suggesting that IL-9 may be a link between PV and MetS.

[Quality standard and quality value transfer of reference samples of classical prescription Huagan Decoction].

The detection method of characteristic spectrum for reference samples was established by preparing 15 batches of the reference samples of Huagan Decoction, and the peak attribution and the similarity range in the characteristic spectrum were clarified. The ranges of paste-forming rate, content, and transfer rate of the index components including geniposide, paeonol, and paeoniflorin were analyzed. The key quality attribute of the reference samples of Huagan Decoction was defined. The results showed that the 15 batches of the reference samples of Huagan Decoction had good similarities in the characteristic spectrum, which were all higher than 0.9. According to the information of characteristic peak, there were 18 characteristic peaks in the whole prescription, including seven common characteristic peaks from green tangerine peel and dried tangerine peel, four characteristic peaks from tree peony root bark(three of them were common characteristic peaks from tree peony root bark and red peony root), five characteristic peaks from cape jasmine fruit, one characteristic peak from paniculate bolbostemma, and one characteristic peak from oriental waterplantain rhizome.The paste-forming rate of the 15 batches of reference samples was 14.73%-18.83%. The content of geniposide was 1.68%-2.87%, with the average transfer rate of 70.05%±11.13%. The content of paeonol was 0.10%-0.16%, with the average transfer rate of 9.38%±1.78%. The content of paeoniflorin was 1.94%-2.74%, with the average transfer rate of 36.69%±4.63%. This study analyzed the quality value transfer of the reference samples of Huagan Decoction by the evaluation mode of combining the characteristic spectrum, the paste-forming rate, and the content of index components. The findings of this study initially established a stable and feasible standard decoction evaluation method and provided references for the quality control and the subsequent development of relevant preparations of Huagan Decoction.

Quality assessment of fried licorice based on fingerprints and chemometrics.

Fried licorice is obtained by frying licorice without using any auxiliary materials, and it is widely used both as food and medicine in China. To explore the influence of licorice origin on the quality of fried licorice, a method based on fingerprinting and chemometrics was developed. Twenty batches of licorice were selected from four locations. The reference chromatograms of each location were established via similarity analysis. Chemometric methods, such as cluster, principal component, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analyses were used to evaluate the changes in the composition of fried licorice, predict its origin, and reflect its quality. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the chemical components. Finally, an origin prediction function was established via discriminant analysis to trace the origin of licorice. The model was demonstrated to be stable, reliable, and accurate in predicting licorice origin and to provide a reference for origin traceability.