Effect of Narrow Band UVB Therapy and Methotrexate Treatment on Serum Adenosine Deaminase Enzyme Level in Severe Psoriasis Vulgaris Patients

Abstract

soriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by the formation of sharply demarcated, scaly, erythematous plaques in different parts of the body. Psoriasis affects mainly skin, nails and joints.. Several pathogenic mechanisms were proposed to illuminate the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Adenosine deaminase is a critical enzyme in purine metabolism that regulates intra and extracellular adenosine concentrations by converting it to inosine. Adenosine is an important purine that regulates numerous physiological functions by interacting with its receptors. Adenosine and consequently adenosine deaminase can have pro or anti-inflammatory effects on tissues depending on how much time has passed from the start of the injury. In addition, an increase in adenosine deaminase activity has been reported in various diseases and the significant effect of deaminase inhibition on the clinical course of different diseases has been reported. The activity of serum ADA in psoriasis has been investigated in a few studies with conflicting results. Thus, the current study aimed to measure serum level of ADA enzyme in psoriasis vulgaris patients before and after treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B therapy and methotrexate treatment or combination of both. We included 45 severe psoriasis vulgaris patients and 15 apparent healthy age and sex matched controls. Patients were divided into 3 equal groups according to treatment modality.