Circulating ANGPTL8 as a Potential Protector of Metabolic Complications in Patients with Psoriasis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Dermatology
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) influences lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, inflammation, and oncogenesis, but its precise molecular targets are unclear.
• Psoriasis is associated with metabolic disturbances and increased cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need to understand underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum ANGPTL8 concentrations in individuals with psoriasis.
• To examine the effect of systemic psoriasis therapies (methotrexate and acitretin) on serum ANGPTL8 levels.
• To explore correlations between ANGPTL8, lipid profiles, and psoriasis severity.

Main Methods:

• Serum ANGPTL8 concentrations were measured using ELISA in 35 psoriasis patients and 18 healthy controls.
• Psoriasis patients were treated for 3 months with methotrexate or acitretin.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and Spearman's rank correlation to assess differences and relationships.

Main Results:

• Serum ANGPTL8 levels were significantly different between psoriasis patients (pre- and post-treatment) and controls (p < 0.05).
• Significant negative correlations were observed between ANGPTL8 and total cholesterol/LDL levels (p < 0.05).
• Acitretin treatment significantly increased ANGPTL8 (p < 0.05), while methotrexate did not alter levels significantly (p > 0.05). A negative correlation between ANGPTL8 and PASI score was found post-treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Elevated ANGPTL8 levels may reduce the risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia in psoriasis patients.
• Systemic psoriasis therapy, especially acitretin, can modulate ANGPTL8 concentrations, potentially influencing its protective metabolic effects.