Natural killer cell activity, serum immunoglobulins, complement proteins, and zinc levels in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

The role of the immune system in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV) was investigated. The genetic and immunological basis for psoriasis is still un known. Because of the reports of immunological defects in this disease, we investigated serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA, complement prot eins C3, C4, serum zinc (Zn) levels and natural killer (NK) cell activities . Skin lesions of the psoriatic patients involved in the study comprised le ss than 10 % of the total body and the disease was in a stationary period. Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. NK cell act ivity was measured by Cr-51 (Na-2 (CrO4)-Cr-51). IgG., IgA IgM, C3 and C4 a ssays were done by liquid-phase immunoprecipitation assay with nephelometri c endpoint detection. IgG, IgA, C3 and C4 levels were significanty higher i n patients with PV than in healty controls (p<0.05). However, NK cell activ ity, serum Zn and IgM levels did not show significant differences between t hese two groups. There are changed immunological responses, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Many controversial re sults have been related to immunological parameters in psoriatic patients. Therefore, more detailed studies in this field need to be done to determine the relationship between psoriasis and the immune system.