Tissue Expression of Visfatin in Psoriatic Patients

: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic disease, in which genetic, immunological, and environmental factors play a significant role. The immunological mechanism involved in pathogenesis causes cutaneous inflammation and keratinocytes hyperproliferation. Subcutaeous adipose tissue secretes adipokines which play a role in cutaneous inflammation. Visfatin is an adipokine that induces inflammatory process by increasing cytokines production and activation. It affects inflammatory and immune response through induction of chemotaxis. Aim of this work: To estimate visfatin level in lesional tissues of psoriatic patients in comparison with healthy controls and its correlation with disease severity. Patients and Methods: The expression of visfatin was detected in the skin of 30 psoriasis patients and 30 healthy controls using using ELISA technique. Results: Visfatin expression was significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, there was no significant difference between visfatin expression and severity of the disease. Conclusion: Visfatin may play a role in pathogenesis of psoriasis.