Activity of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa (TNF-alpha) and selected acute phase proteins in plasma of psoriatic patients receiving local treatment.

Plasma concentrations of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-2 macroglobulin (alpha-2 MG) were examined in 100 patients with medium-severe and severe psoriasis. Activity of selected proteins were measured using the ELISA method in the active stage of psoriasis and in remission achieved due to the local treatment with 0.125-2% dithranol treatment. In the active stage of disease highly increased plasma levels of TNF-alpha, CRP and alpha-2 MG were found (p < 0.001) and remission was connected with a considerable decrease of the examined proteins towards the control values. But despite its lowering, CRP mean plasma level remained in remission significantly elevated in comparison with healthy control. Results of this study indicate that in severe psoriasis the acute phase response can be initiated and is not completely extinguished with achievement of clinical remission.