DOI: 10.4103/jdds.jdds_80_22 ISSN: 2352-2410

Intestinal Fatty Acid-binding Protein in Patients with Psoriasis: A Marker of Impaired Intestinal Permeability Barrier and its Relation to Demographic Data and Clinical Characteristics

Ayman Mahran, Amal Hosni, Ahmed A. A. Mageed
  • General Medicine

Abstract

Background:

Alterations of intestinal microbiota may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Dysbiosis may cause disruption of the intestinal barrier, which contributes to immune activation by translocation of microbial antigens and metabolites. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) serves as a biomarker of enterocyte damage.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentration of I-FABP in patients with psoriasis.

Methods:

A cross-sectional hospital-based study on fifty psoriatic patients and thirty-five age and sex-matched healthy volunteers as a control group were enrolled in the study, serum I-FABP concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Concentration of serum I-FABP was higher in patients compared to controls (P = 0.04). The serum level of I-FABP was higher in patients with skin phototype IV than in those with skin phototype III (P = 0.040). There were significant positive statistical correlations between I-FABP with age and disease duration.

Conclusion:

I-FABP, a biomarker for gut permeability, is increased in psoriasis and correlates with disease duration and age. Further investigations are needed to determine whether reinforcing intestinal barrier may be a new therapeutic target in psoriasis.

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