Chemerin and calprotectin levels correlate with disease activity and inflammation markers in psoriasis vulgaris

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that affects about 2-3% of the general population. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum chemerin and calprotectin levels and the inflammatory markers that can lead to oxidative damage. Methods: Fifty patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Levels of chemerin and calprotectin were measured in addition to levels of C-reactive protein, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the white blood cell count to evaluate inflammation. Results: According to our findings, chemerin and calprotectin levels in the patient group were significantly higher than in the control group (p <0.01 and p < 0.001. respectively). Patients with psoriasis were divided into three groups based on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index: mild, moderate, and severe. The chemerin levels in the severe and moderate groups were significantly higher than in the mild group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The calprotectin levels in the severe psoriasis group were also significantly higher than in the mild group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in the control group (p < 0.05, p <0.01. and p < 0.001, respectively). Stepwise regression analysis was used to assess the individual contributing factors. Among these contributing factors, the chemerin levels were observed to be positively correlated with both the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (R-2 = 0.111) and the calprotectin level (R-2 = 0.445). Calprotectin was observed to be positively correlated with both the C-reactive protein (R-2 = 0.119) and chemerin levels (R-2 = 0.315). Conclusion: The chemerin and calprotectin levels in patients with psoriasis showed that there is an inflammatory process in psoriasis and that these markers are useful indicators of the severity of psoriasis. (C) Copyright 2014, Taiwanese Dermatological Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.