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- Title
Catechol- O-methyltransferase activity in psoriasis patients treated with psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy.
- Authors
Souteiro, Pedro; Vieira‐Coelho, Maria Augusta; Serrão, Maria Paula; Magina, Sofia
- Abstract
Background Catechol- O-methyltransferase ( COMT) activity is increased in patients with mild/moderate psoriasis. Narrowband ultraviolet B ( nbUVB) phototherapy decreases COMT activity. However, the effect of psoralen plus ultraviolet A ( PUVA) on this enzyme activity is unknown, and it remains to be clarified if the nbUVB-induced effect in COMT activity is related to clinical response. The aim of this study is to evaluate COMT activity in moderate/severe psoriasis and assess whether PUVA therapy modifies this activity. Methods An observational study was conducted on 18 patients with moderate/severe psoriasis and 13 matched controls. Patients were treated with PUVA twice weekly during 6 weeks, and they were evaluated for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index ( PASI) and COMT activity before photochemotherapy, at the end of it and 4 weeks after stopping. Results Before PUVA therapy, S(soluble)- COMT activity was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in psoriasis patients than in controls. After photochemotherapy, no significant differences were found in S- COMT activity at all end points. Photochemotherapy significantly decreased PASI but COMT activity values remained higher than those of control population. Conclusion Psoriasis patients with moderate/severe disease present higher S- COMT activity than controls. Although a good clinical response was observed, PUVA therapy does not change S- COMT activity. This differential COMT effect of PUVA and nbUVB suggests a wavelength-specific regulation.
- Subjects
CATECHOL-O-methyltransferase; PSORIASIS; PSORALENS; ULTRAVIOLET radiation; ENZYMES; PATIENTS
- Publication
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2013, Vol 29, Issue 5, p227
- ISSN
0905-4383
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/phpp.12058