The effect of acitretin treatment on insulin resistance, retinol-binding protein-4, leptin, and adiponectin in psoriasis vulgaris: a noncontrolled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

To investigate the effects of acitretin treatment on insulin resistance (IR) and adipokines, particularly retinol-binding protein (RBP)-4.

METHODS:

Thirty-four patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and a control group of 34 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Screening for the parameters was performed before starting and after 3 months of acitretin treatment in the psoriasis group. The control group was only evaluated at the beginning of the study and did not receive placebo. We could not compare our results with a placebo control group because of ethical reasons.

RESULTS:

Basal adiponectin (p = 0.01), insulin (p < 0.0001) levels and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) IR (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in psoriasis patients. After the treatment, insulin (p = 0.014), C peptide (p = 0.011), RBP-4 (p < 0.0001) levels and HOMA-IR (p = 0.008) decreased significantly. Posttreatment leptin (p = 0.036) levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. Posttreatment adiponectin (p = 0.005) and insulin (p = 0.048) levels were higher than those of the controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed for the first time that RBP-4 levels and IR are decreased significantly with acitretin treatment. This finding is very important in psoriasis patients because psoriasis may cause insulin resistance and diabetes. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of acitretin on adipocyte structure and behavior.

• Authors: Ayse Serap Karadag, Derun Taner Ertugrul, Goknur Kalkan, Serap Gunes Bilgili, Huseyin Tugrul Celik, Zennure Takci, Ragıp Balahoroglu, Omer Calka
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 227 Issue 2 Pg. 103-8 ( 2013) ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24021889 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adiponectin
• Insulin
• Leptin
• RBP4 protein, human
• Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
• Acitretin

Topics

• Acitretin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Adiponectin (metabolism)
• Adult
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Insulin (blood)
• Insulin Resistance
• Leptin (metabolism)
• Male
• Psoriasis (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma (drug effects, metabolism)