BACKGROUND: Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, has been shown to have several immunological effects similar to those of proinflammatory cytokines. The relationship between serum leptin, psoriasis, and obesity is still conflicted, and very few studies have investigated its role in skin diseases other than psoriasis. AIM: To evaluate the possible relationship between serum leptin in nonobese patients with psoriasis and other randomly selected skin diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty subjects (40 patients with psoriasis, 20 patients with other randomly selected skin diseases, and 20 healthy controls) were included in the study. Fasting serum leptin levels of the study groups were examined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Elevated serum leptin levels were detected in both nonobese patients with psoriasis (P=.004) and those with other randomly selected skin diseases (P=.05). Leptin levels failed to correlate to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score of psoriatic patients. Both sexes demonstrated comparable levels of serum leptin in psoriatic patients, while female patients suffering from other skin diseases showed higher levels of serum leptin than did males of the same group. CONCLUSION: Leptin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and other skin diseases, even in the absence of obesity as a cofactor.
BACKGROUND:Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, has been shown to have several immunological effects similar to those of proinflammatory cytokines. The relationship between serum leptin, psoriasis, and obesity is still conflicted, and very few studies have investigated its role in skin diseases other than psoriasis. AIM: To evaluate the possible relationship between serum leptin in nonobese patients with psoriasis and other randomly selected skin diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty subjects (40 patients with psoriasis, 20 patients with other randomly selected skin diseases, and 20 healthy controls) were included in the study. Fasting serum leptin levels of the study groups were examined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Elevated serum leptin levels were detected in both nonobese patients with psoriasis (P=.004) and those with other randomly selected skin diseases (P=.05). Leptin levels failed to correlate to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score of psoriaticpatients. Both sexes demonstrated comparable levels of serum leptin in psoriaticpatients, while female patients suffering from other skin diseases showed higher levels of serum leptin than did males of the same group. CONCLUSION:Leptin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and other skin diseases, even in the absence of obesity as a cofactor.