Evaluation of Scalp Hair Selenium in Chronic Plaque Type Psoriasis Vulgaris

Abstract

soriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated skin disease with many provocative factors, clinically characterized by red, scaly, small to large plaques of diseased skin covered with silvery white scales, commonly affecting the scalp, trunk, elbows, knees and genital areas but can affect any part of the body including nails. Understanding the pathogenesis events leading to psoriasis has improved significantly lately. It is well established that interplay of environmental, genetic and immunological mechanisms is associated with the development of the disease. Psoriasis is a T –cell mediated inflammatory process with the production of free oxygen radicals, leading to the activation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in psoriatic plaques, TNF-α is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis In psoriasis an impaired antioxidant barrier in skin results in a rise of free reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress and the generation of excessive free radicals have been related to skin inflammation in psoriasis. These Oxygen Species show its harmful effects mostly on the cell parts, including the DNA, membrane lipids and proteins. Selenium is an essential trace element, which among other trace elements has anti-oxidant, immune-modulating and anti-proliferative properties. Anti-oxidant and immune modulating actions through a change in the expression of cytokines and respective receptors by inhibition of mRNA for these cytokines in human keratinocytes or by making immune cells more resistant to the oxidative stress, so it can act as an inhibitor of oxidative stress and inflammation. As such, selenium compounds (inorganic selenium salts) induce inhibitory effects on inflammatory cytokine production: interleukin-1α, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in vitro. Selenium has also a particularly