Mary
12-18-2008, 07:36 AM
Psoriasis Patients Have Higher Levels Of Obesity Hormone Leptin
The skin disease psoriasis has been associated with higher levels of the protein leptin, according to an article released on December 15, 2008 in Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease whose primary symptom is the presence of a persistent red, scaly rash. Its causes are not fully understood, but many associations have been investigated: "Associations among psoriasis, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome have been reported," write the authors. "Although the underlying mechanisms may be complex, the 'obesity of psoriasis' is thought to be a key link to cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, hypertension and myocardial infarction [heart attack]." One factor associated with obesity, in particular, is the protein hormone leptin, which fat cells produce. This substance helps control food intake, body weight, and fat stores, and has been linked to immune and inflammatory processes.
To investigate the association between leptin production and psoriasis, Yi-Ju Chen, M.D., of the Taichung Veterans General Hospital and National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, and colleagues investigated 77 patients with psoriasis in comparison with 81 controls, matched by age and sex. The clinical characteristics of each participant were observed, including age, sex, height, weight, other diseases, and the severity of psoriasis. Additionally, the researchers examined blood samples for the levels of leptin.
More on
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/133408.php
The skin disease psoriasis has been associated with higher levels of the protein leptin, according to an article released on December 15, 2008 in Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease whose primary symptom is the presence of a persistent red, scaly rash. Its causes are not fully understood, but many associations have been investigated: "Associations among psoriasis, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome have been reported," write the authors. "Although the underlying mechanisms may be complex, the 'obesity of psoriasis' is thought to be a key link to cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, hypertension and myocardial infarction [heart attack]." One factor associated with obesity, in particular, is the protein hormone leptin, which fat cells produce. This substance helps control food intake, body weight, and fat stores, and has been linked to immune and inflammatory processes.
To investigate the association between leptin production and psoriasis, Yi-Ju Chen, M.D., of the Taichung Veterans General Hospital and National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, and colleagues investigated 77 patients with psoriasis in comparison with 81 controls, matched by age and sex. The clinical characteristics of each participant were observed, including age, sex, height, weight, other diseases, and the severity of psoriasis. Additionally, the researchers examined blood samples for the levels of leptin.
More on
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/133408.php