Evaluation of potential aging biomarkers in healthy individuals: telomerase, AGEs, GDF11/15, sirtuin 1, NAD+, NLRP3, DNA/RNA damage, and klotho.

Aging is a natural process of gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity. Biological age (accumulation of changes and damage) and chronological age (years lived) may differ. Biological age reflects the risk of various types of disease and death from any cause. We selected potential biomarkers of aging - telomerase, AGEs, GDF11 and 15 (growth differentiation factor 11/15), sirtuin 1, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), inflammasome NLRP3, DNA/RNA damage, and klotho to investigate changes in their levels depending on age and sex. We included 169 healthy volunteers and divided them into groups according to age (under 35; 35-50; over 50) and sex (male, female; male and female under 35; 35-50, over 50). Markers were analyzed using commercial ELISA kits. We found differences in values depending on age and gender. GDF15 increased with age (under 30 and 35-50 p < 0.002; 35-50 and over 50; p < 0.001; under 35 and over 50; p < 0.001) as well as GDF11 (35-50 and over 50; p < 0.03; under 35 and over 50; p < 0.02), AGEs (under 30 and 35-50; p < 0.005), NLRP3 (under 35 over 50; p < 0.03), sirtuin 1 (35-50 and over 50; p < 0.0001; under 35 and over 50; p < 0.004). AGEs and GDF11 differed between males and females. Correlations were identified between individual markers, markers and age, and markers and sex. Markers that reflect the progression of biological aging vary with age (GDF15, GDF11, AGEs, NLRP3, sirtuin) and sex (AGEs, GDF11). Their levels could be used in clinical practice, determining biological age, risk of age-related diseases and death of all-causes, and initiating or contraindicating a therapy in the elderly based on the patient's health status.

Non-Genomic Hallmarks of Aging-The Review.

Aging is a natural, gradual, and inevitable process associated with a series of changes at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels that can lead to an increased risk of many diseases, including cancer. The most significant changes at the genomic level (DNA damage, telomere shortening, epigenetic changes) and non-genomic changes are referred to as hallmarks of aging. The hallmarks of aging and cancer are intertwined. Many studies have focused on genomic hallmarks, but non-genomic hallmarks are also important and may additionally cause genomic damage and increase the expression of genomic hallmarks. Understanding the non-genomic hallmarks of aging and cancer, and how they are intertwined, may lead to the development of approaches that could influence these hallmarks and thus function not only to slow aging but also to prevent cancer. In this review, we focus on non-genomic changes. We discuss cell senescence, disruption of proteostasis, deregualation of nutrient sensing, dysregulation of immune system function, intercellular communication, mitochondrial dysfunction, stem cell exhaustion and dysbiosis.

Biomarkers of aging - current state of knowledge.

Aging is a process of gradual decline in the functional capacity of the human body that leads to a significant increase in the risk of death over time. Although it is a process universal to all animals, its rate is not the same. Biomarkers of aging aim to better describe the aging process at the level of the individual, organ, tissue, or single cell. They are used to estimate the rate of aging and predict the probability of death. They are good indication of the current state of the organism and are more accurate in predicting a person's susceptibility to disease, its progression and the likelihood of complications and death. Simple biomarkers measure only one parameter or a narrow group of related parameters that have a known association with age, in human or in a laboratory model. They can be divided into molecular (based on features of aging), functional (describing decreasing functional capacity during aging) and anthropometric (describing structural changes). Composite biomarkers are the most comprehensive way of measuring biological age. They combine a large amount of data, which they evaluate using algorithms often based on artificial intelligence. The most widely used method for measuring biological age in composite biomarkers is the epigenetic clock. The aim of this article is to review the many existing markers of aging and describe their relationship to aging.

Physiology of ageing.

Aging is a process of gradually reducing abilities and functional capacities of the organism. It is a universal process with a considerable degree of variability that is characteristic of all higher animals. Among the theories of ageing, the theory of damage accumulation, which integrates the mechanisms of ageing known to date, is currently widely accepted. This theory is based on pathophysiological processes, injurious changes can occur in the human body. These changes can be understood as damage. Due to the continuous accumulation of damage, the whole system is subsequently deteriorated. The aim of the present work is to characterize the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of aging (damage) in the light of current scientific knowledge and to show them in their hierarchical context.

Aging in psoriasis vulgaris: female patients are epigenetically older than healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin autoimmune disease. Psoriatic patients have significantly lowered life expectancy and suffer from various comorbidities. The main goal of the study was to determine whether psoriatic patients experience accelerated aging. As accelerated aging might be the reason for the higher prevalence of comorbidities at lower chronological ages, we also wanted to investigate the relationship between aging and selected parameters of frequent psoriatic comorbidities - endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17. Samples were obtained from 28 patients and 42 healthy controls. Epigenetic age measurement was based on the Horvath clock. The levels of endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17 were analyzed using standardized ELISA methods. RESULTS: The difference between the epigenetic age and the chronological age of each individual subject did not increase with the increasing chronological age of patients. We cannot conclude that psoriasis causes accelerated aging. However, the epigenetic and chronological age difference was significantly higher in female patients than in female controls, and the difference was correlated with endocan (r = 0.867, p = 0.0012) and vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.633, p = 0.0365) only in female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a possible presence of pathophysiological processes that occur only in female psoriatic patients. These processes make psoriatic females biologically older and might lead to an increased risk of comorbidity occurrence. This study also supports the idea that autoimmune diseases cause accelerated aging, which should be further explored in the future.

Genotoxic effect of simultaneous therapeutic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and UV radiation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet radiation (UV) represent genotoxic factors that commonly occur in the living and working environment. The dermal form of exposure represents a significant part of the total load of dangerous chemical and physical environmental factors to which an organism is subjected. However, simultaneous dermal exposures to PAHs (pharmaceutical crude coal tar [CCT]) and UV (UVA and UVB) also have therapeutic uses. A typical example is Goeckerman therapy (GT) for psoriasis. The question of the therapeutic efficacy of GT and the related level of genotoxic danger is still under discussion. The aim of the present study was to compare four GT variants (G1-G4) in terms of efficacy and acceptable genotoxic hazard. Efficacy was expressed by the psoriasis area of severity index (PASI) score, genotoxic hazard by chromosomal aberration in peripheral lymphocytes. The lowest risk of genotoxic hazard and the lowest efficiency was observed in G1 variant (3% of the CCT and UVA + UVB). The efficacy of G2 (4% CCT and UVA + UVB), G3 (4% CCT and UVB), and G4 variants (5% CCT and UVA + UVB) was comparable. The highest risk of genotoxic hazard was found in the G3 variant. In the terms of sufficient efficacy and acceptable genotoxic hazard, a combination of 4% or 5% of CCT and UVA and UVB seems to be acceptable (variants G2 and G4).

Alarmins HMGB1, IL-33, S100A7, and S100A12 in Psoriasis Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with systemic inflammation. Increased levels of numerous cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and other molecules were found in the skin and in the circulation of psoriatic patients. Alarmins, also known as danger signals, are intracellular proteins, which are released to an extracellular space after infection or damage. They are the markers of cell destructive processes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of selected alarmins (HMGB1, IL-33, S100A7, and S100A12) as potential biomarkers of severity of psoriasis and to explore possible relationships between these proteins for the purpose of better understanding their roles in the immunopathology of psoriasis. METHODS: The serum levels of selected alarmins were measured in 63 psoriatic patients and 95 control individuals. The levels were assessed by the ELISA technique using commercial kits. The data were statistically processed with MedCalc version 19.0.5. RESULTS: In psoriatic patients, we found significantly increased levels of HMGB1 (p < 0.05), IL-33 (p < 0.01), S100A7 (p < 0.0001), and S100A12 (p < 0.0001). In addition, we found a significant relationship between HMGB1 and S100A7 (Spearman's rho = 0.276, p < 0.05) in the patients and significant relationship between HMGB1 and IL-33 in the controls (Spearman's rho = 0.416, p < 0.05). We did not find any relationship between observed alarmins and the disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The alarmins HMGB1, IL-33, S100A7, and S100A12 were significantly elevated in the serum of patients, which states the hypothesis that they play specific roles in the immunopathology of psoriasis. However, we have not yet found a relationship between observed alarmins and the disease severity. The discovery of the relationship between HMGB1 and S100A7 is a novelty that should be studied in the future to further clarify its role and importance.

Metabolic Syndrome, Clusterin and Elafin in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a pathological condition characterized by immune system dysfunction and inflammation. Patients with psoriasis are more likely to develop a wide range of disorders associated with inflammation. Serum levels of various substances and their combinations have been associated with the presence of the disease (psoriasis) and have shown the potential to reflect its activity. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the elucidation of pathophysiological links between psoriasis, its pro-inflammatory comorbidity metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the expression of clusterin and elafin, which are reflected in the pathophysiological "portfolio" of both diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical examinations (PASI score), ELISA (clusterin, elafin), and biochemical analyses (parameters of MetS) were performed. RESULTS: We found that patients with psoriasis were more often afflicted by MetS, compared to the healthy controls. Clusterin and elafin levels were higher in the patients than in the controls but did not correlate to the severity of psoriasis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that patients with psoriasis are more susceptible to developing other systemic inflammatory diseases, such as MetS. The levels of clusterin and elafin, which are tightly linked to inflammation, were significantly increased in the patients, compared to the controls, but the presence of MetS in patients did not further increase these levels.

Quality of life of patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: The two main aims of our study were to assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with moderate or severe psoriasis treated by Goeckerman therapy and to compare QOL of our patients on the date of admission and 1 month after their discharge. METHODS: We performed a prospective study on 51 patients treated for chronic plaque psoriasis by Goeckerman regimen (GR). The psoriasis area involvement and severity was measured using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Patients' health-related QOL was evaluated using Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI). RESULTS: In our study we demonstrated that the QOL of this sample of 51 patients with severe forms of psoriasis was relatively good; an average PDI value on the day of admission was 9.02, which represents a small effect on patient's QOL. We did not find any significant differences in QOL between younger and older respondents or between men and women. Despite good treatment efficiency, we did not find improvement in QOL 1 month after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The QOL of our patients was relatively good. This could be explained by the fact that our patients have been suffering from psoriasis for many years and have probably adapted to their disease. QOL of our patients was not directly dependent on the extent and intensity of skin changes. Further studies on the connection between psoriasis therapy and patients' QOL are still highly needed.

Goeckerman Therapy of Psoriasis: Genotoxicity, Dietary Micronutrients, Homocysteine, and MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms.

Goeckerman therapy (GT) of psoriasis vulgaris is based on the application of crude coal tar and ultraviolet radiation. We investigated DNA damage by the number of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBC) in lymphocytes, serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and two polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in the MTHFR gene in 35 patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris classified according to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and treated by GT. The median of PASI score decreased from nineteen to five, and MNBC increased from 10 to 18‰ after GT (p < 0.001 in both cases). Correlations of MNBC with homocysteine (Spearman's rho = 0.420, p = 0.012) and vitamin B12 (rho = -0.389, p = 0.021) before the therapy were observed. Hyperhomocysteinemia was an independent predictor of genotoxicity (OR 9.91; 95% CI, 2.09-55.67; p = 0.003). Homocysteine was higher in females than in males (13 vs. 12 µmol/L, p = 0.045). In contrast, vitamin B12 levels in the females were lower than in the males (160 vs. 192 pmol/L, p = 0.047). Vitamin B12 in the females were negatively influenced by smoking status (160 pmol/L in smokers vs. 192 pmol/L in non-smokers, p = 0.025). A significantly higher MNBC was found in CC homozygous patients (A1298C polymorphism) than in AC heterozygotes (32 vs. 16‰, p = 0.005) and AA homozygotes (32 vs. 18‰, p = 0.036). Our data showed that homocysteine participates in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Its serum levels correlated with MNBC and allowed the prediction of DNA damage to appear within GT. Both micronutrients status and homocysteine metabolic pathway contribute to the genotoxicity of GT.

Systemic Inflammation, Oxidative Damage to Nucleic Acids, and Metabolic Syndrome in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis.

In the pathogenesis of psoriasis, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress play mutual roles interrelated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aims to map the selected markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP)), oxidative damage to nucleic acids (DNA/RNA damage; 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and 8-hydroxyguanine), and the parameters of MetS (waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, diastolic and systolic blood pressure) in a group of 37 patients with psoriasis (62% of MetS) and in 43 healthy controls (42% of MetS). Levels of CRP, DNA/RNA damage, fasting glucose, and triglycerides were significantly elevated in patients. MetS in conjunction with psoriasis was associated with high levels of CRP, significantly higher than in control subjects without MetS. Patients with MetS exhibited further DNA/RNA damage, which was significantly higher in comparison with the control group. Our study supports the independent role of psoriasis and MetS in the increase of CRP and DNA/RNA damage. The psoriasis contributes to an increase in the levels of both effects more significantly than MetS. The psoriasis also diminished the relationship between CRP and oxidative damage to nucleic acids existent in controls.

Serum Level of Antibodies (IgG, IgM) Against Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-DNA Adducts in Children Dermatologically Exposed to Coal Tar.

Crude coal tar (CCT) contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is metabolized into a highly reactive metabolite benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) that is able to bind to DNA and creates BPDE-DNA adducts. Adducted DNA becomes immunogenic and induces immune response by production of antibodies against BPDE-DNA adducts (Ab-BPDE-DNA). Circulating Ab-BPDE-DNA was proposed as potential biomarker of genotoxic exposure to BaP (PAHs). Goeckerman therapy (GT) of psoriasis uses dermal application of CCT ointment (PAHs). In presented study (children with psoriasis treated by GT; n = 19) the therapy significantly increased the level of Ab-BPDE-DNA (EI = 0.29/0.19-0.34 vs. 0.31/0.25-0.40; median/lower-upper quartile; p < 0.01). The results support the idea of Ab-BPDE-DNA level as a possible tentative indicator of exposure, effects and susceptibility of the organism to the exposure of BaP (PAHs).

Droplet Digital PCR Analysis of GSTM1 Deletion Polymorphism in Psoriatic Subjects Treated with Goeckerman Therapy.

Goeckerman therapy (GT) represents an effective treatment of psoriasis including a combination of pharmaceutical grade crude coal tar (CCT) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV-R). Coal tar contains a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The best known carcinogenic polyaromate - benzo[a]pyrene is metabolized into a highly reactive benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) catalyses the conjugation of drugs, toxins and products of oxidative stress with glutathione. The aim of the study is to found possible associations between GSTM1 genotypes and the level of BPDE-DNA adducts in 46 psoriatic patients treated with GT. For genotyping, droplet digital PCR was applied. The GSTM1 copy number was normalized to ß-globin reference gene. In five GSTM1*1/*1 subjects, the GSTM1 to ß-globin ratio moved from 0.99 to 1.03 with a median of 1.01. GSTM1*0/*1 heterozygotes (n = 20) contained only one GSTM1 function allele which conditioned the ratio 0.47-0.53 (median 0.50). GSTM1*0/*0 individuals (n = 21) showed no amplification of the null variants because of the large deletion in GSTM1. BPDE-DNA concentrations ranged from 1.8 to 66.3 ng/µg with a median of 12.3 ng/µg. GSTM1*0/*0 and GSTM1*0/*1 genotypes showed non-significantly higher concentrations of BPDE-DNA adducts than the GSTM1*1/*1 one (12.3 and 12.4 vs 7.8 ng/µg). The non-significant relationship between BPDE-DNA adducts and GSTM1 genotypes in psoriatic patients could be associated with relatively low doses of CCT and short-term UV-R exposures used in GT.

Selected Inflammatory and Metabolic Markers in Psoriatic Patients Treated with Goeckerman Therapy.

Psoriasis is associated with metabolic activity of adipose tissue which produces pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines. Goeckerman therapy (GT) represents an effective treatment of psoriasis. This study evaluated variation of selected inflammatory and metabolic markers during GT and the relationships between the markers, severity of the disease (PASI score), body mass, and the basic characteristics of the therapy. The study was conducted on a group of patients (n = 32) and on a control group (n = 24). Before GT, we found significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory CRP (p < 0.001) and leptin (p < 0.05) in psoriatic patients (compared to the controls). The therapy significantly decreased the levels of CRP and adiponectin. We found positive correlations between CRP and total duration of GT (p < 0.05) and CRP and the time of UV exposure (p < 0.01) and negative correlations between adiponectin and the total duration of GT (p < 0.05) and adiponectin and the application of CCT ointment (p < 0.001). From our results, we can conclude that GT causes partial reduction of both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers. However, the levels of proinflammatory CRP and leptin remained significantly higher in the patients than in the control group.

The Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on Potential Aging Biomarkers in Participants with Metabolic Syndrome Compared to Healthy Controls.

BACKGROUND: Biological aging is a physiological process that can be altered by various factors. The presence of a chronic metabolic disease can accelerate aging and increase the risk of further chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects levels of markers that are associated with, among other things, aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 169 subjects (58 with MetS, and 111 without metabolic syndrome, i.e., non-MetS) participated in the study. Levels of telomerase, GDF11/15, sirtuin 1, follistatin, NLRP3, AGEs, klotho, DNA/RNA damage, NAD+, vitamin D, and blood lipids were assessed from blood samples using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: Telomerase (p < 0.01), DNA/RNA damage (p < 0.006) and GDF15 (p < 0.02) were higher in MetS group compared to non-MetS group. Only vitamin D levels were higher in the non-MetS group (p < 0.0002). Differences between MetS and non-MetS persons were also detected in groups divided according to age: in under 35-year-olds and those aged 35-50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that people with MetS compared to those without MetS have higher levels of some of the measured markers of biological aging. Thus, the presence of MetS may accelerate biological aging, which may be associated with an increased risk of chronic comorbidities that accompany MetS (cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, metabolic, or cancer diseases) and risk of premature death from all causes.

Telomere length, oxidative and epigenetic changes in blood DNA of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris involves changes in DNA molecules, genomic instability, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations among them. These changes are also considered important mechanisms of aging in cells and tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study dealt with oxidation damage, telomere length and methylation status in DNA originating from peripheral blood of 41 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy controls. METHODS: Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was determined immunochemically. Real-time PCR was used for the analysis of the telomere length. ELISA technique determined levels of 5-methylcytosine in blood cells' DNA. RESULTS: Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was higher in patients than in controls (median, 3758 vs. 2286pg/mL, p<0.001). A higher length of telomeres per chromosome was found in patients whole-cell DNA than in controls (3.57 vs. 3.04 kilobases, p=0.011). A negative correlation of the length of telomeres with an age of the control subjects was revealed (Spearman's rho=-0.420, p=0.028). Insignificantly different levels of 5-methylcytosine in patients and controls were observed (33.20 vs. 23.35%, p=0.234). No influences of sex, smoking, BMI, PASI score, and metabolic syndrome on the methylation status were found. STUDY LIMITATIONS: i) A relatively small number of the participants, particularly for reliable subgroup analyses, ii) the Caucasian origin of the participants possibly influencing the results of the parameters determined, and iii) Telomerase activity was not directly measured in serum or blood cells. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated increased levels of oxidized DNA/RNA molecules in the serum of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris. The results were minimally influenced by sex, the presence of metabolic syndrome, or cigarette smoking. In the psoriatic blood cells' DNA, the authors observed longer telomeres compared to healthy controls, particularly in females. Insignificantly higher global DNA methylation in psoriasis cases compared to the controls indicated marginal clinical importance of this epigenetic test performed in the blood cells' DNA.

The number of immunoregulatory T cells is increased in patients with psoriasis after Goeckerman therapy.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that act to suppress inadequate immune response. Psoriasis is recognized as a T-cell driven immune-mediated systemic inflammatory disease with skin manifestation. Effective therapeutical approach to treat psoriasis is Goeckerman therapy (GT). The aim of this study was to compare the number of Treg in the peripheral blood of 27 psoriatic patients and 19 controls and to evaluate the influence of GT on Treg population in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. There was no significant difference in the relative number of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of healthy blood donors and patients with psoriasis before initiation of GT (P = 0.2668). In contrary, the relative number of Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis after GT was significantly higher than those found in healthy blood donors (P = 0.0019). Moreover, the relative number of Treg is significantly increased in psoriatic patients after Goeckerman therapy compared to the pre-treatment level (P = 0.0042). In conclusion, this significant increase in Treg count after GT is probably associated with amelioration of inflammation by GT, as disease activity expressed as PASI decreased in our patients by GT (P = 0.0001).

Reproductive and Developmental Nanotoxicity of Carbon Nanoparticles.

The presented review aims to summarize the knowledge regarding the reproductive and developmental toxicity of different types of carbon nanoparticles, such as graphene, graphene oxide, multi- and single-walled nanotubes, fullerenes, and nanodiamonds. Carbon nanoparticles have unique chemical and physical properties that make them an excellent material that can be applied in many fields of human activity, including industry, food processing, the pharmaceutical industry, or medicine. Although it has a high degree of biocompatibility, possible toxic effects on different tissue types must also be taken into account. Carbon nanoparticles are known to be toxic to the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, digestive system, etc., and, according to current studies, they also have a negative effect on reproduction and offspring development.

Chromosomal Aberrations and Oxidative Stress in Psoriatic Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome.

Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MetS), a common comorbidity of psoriasis, are associated with mild chronic systemic inflammation that increases oxidative stress and causes cell and tissue damage. At the cellular level, chromosomal and DNA damage has been documented, thus confirming their genotoxic effect. The main objective of our study was to show the genotoxic potential of chronic inflammation and determine whether the presence of both pathologies increases chromosomal damage compared to psoriasis alone and to evaluate whether there are correlations between selected parameters and chromosomal aberrations in patients with psoriasis and MetS psoriasis. Clinical examination (PASI score and MetS diagnostics according to National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults; NCE/ATPIII criteria), biochemical analysis of blood samples (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoproteins; LDL, HDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides;TAG), DNA/RNA oxidative damage, and chromosomal aberration test were performed in 41 participants (20 patients with psoriasis without MetS and 21 with MetS and psoriasis). Our results showed that patients with psoriasis without metabolic syndrome (nonMetS) and psoriasis and MetS had a higher rate of chromosomal aberrations than the healthy population for which the limit of spontaneous, natural aberration was <2%. No significant differences in the aberration rate were found between the groups. However, a higher aberration rate (higher than 10%) and four numerical aberrations were documented only in the MetS group. We found no correlations between the number of chromosomal aberrations and the parameters tested except for the correlation between aberrations and HDL levels in nonMetS patients (rho 0.44; p < 0.02). Interestingly, in the MetS group, a higher number of chromosomal aberrations was documented in non-smokers compared to smokers. Data from our current study revealed an increased number of chromosomal aberrations in patients with psoriasis and MetS compared to the healthy population, especially in psoriasis with MetS, which could increase the genotoxic effect of inflammation and the risk of genomic instability, thus increasing the risk of carcinogenesis.

Significantly Altered Serum Levels of NAD, AGE, RAGE, CRP, and Elastin as Potential Biomarkers of Psoriasis and Aging-A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate potential markers of psoriasis and aging, and to elucidate possible connections between these two processes. METHODS: The serum samples of 60 psoriatic patients and 100 controls were analysed, and the levels of four selected parameters (AGEs, RAGE, NAD, and elastin) were determined using commercial ELISA kits. Serum C-reactive protein was assayed using an immune-nephelometry method. FINDINGS: Among the patients, the levels of CRP, AGEs, and RAGE were all increased, while the levels of NAD were reduced when compared to the control group. A negative correlation between the levels of AGEs and NAD was found. A negative correlation between age and the NAD levels among the control group was observed, however among the patients the relationship was diminished. While there was no difference in the levels of native elastin between the patients and the controls, a positive correlation between the levels of native elastin and age and a negative correlation between the levels of native elastin and the severity of psoriasis were found. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the notion of psoriasis and possibly other immune-mediated diseases accelerating the aging process through sustained systemic damage. The serum levels of CRP, NAD, AGEs, and RAGE appear to be promising potential biomarkers of psoriasis. The decrease in the serum levels of NAD is associated with (pro)inflammatory states. Our analysis indicates that the levels of native elastin might strongly reflect both the severity of psoriasis and the aging process.