Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by skin lesions and joint involvement. Salusin-α and salusin-β are two new bioactive molecules. It is reported that salusins may have role in regulation of the immune system and inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in PsA patients and to establish the possible relationship with the disease features.

Our study included 40 PsA patients who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria and 40 healthy volunteers. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data and disease activity indices (PASI, BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ) were recorded in all patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels.

The demographic data were as follows: 13 patients (32.5%) were males and 27 (67.5%) were female, mean age was 48.5 years and mean disease duration was 2.4 years. Patients' history was taken and clinical assessment was performed; 20 (50%) patients had a family history, 18 (45%) patients were smoker, 19 (47.5%) patients had HLA-B27 positivity, 33 (82.5%) had sacroiliitis, 36 (90%) had enthesitis, 23 (57.5%) had distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and nail involvement, 26 (65%) had wrist involvement, and 11 (27.5%) had ankle involvement. Laboratory data of the patients were recorded; 20 (50%) patients had elevated CRP level and 25 (62.5%) patients had an elevated ESR level. The study results showed that PsA patients had an elevated serum salusin-α level when compared with the control group (p = 0.004). The association between serum salusin-α level and ankle arthritis was found (p = 0.04). Serum levels of salusin-β were similar in PsA patients and controls both (p = 0.285).

We found elevated serum salusin-α in PsA patients while the serum salusin-β levels were normal. Salusin-α may have a possible role in disease pathogenesis and it may be use as a reliable biomarker in PsA patients. Multicenter prospective studies are needed in this regard.