Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity in psoriasis patients treated with psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy. Issue 5 (3rd September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Souteiro, Pedro; Vieira‐Coelho, Maria Augusta; Serrão, Maria Paula; Magina, Sofia
• Is Part Of: Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine. Volume 29:Issue 5(2013)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2013-09-03
• Subjects: COMT -- phototherapy -- psoriasis -- PUVA; Photosensitivity disorders -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-4383

Abstract

Summary: Background: Catechol‐ O ‐methyltransferase (COMT) activity is increased in patients with mild/moderate psoriasis. Narrowband ultraviolet B (nbUVB) phototherapy decreases COMT activity. However, the effect of psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) on this enzyme activity is unknown, and it remains to be clarified if the nbUVB‐induced effect in COMT activity is related to clinical response. The aim of this study is to evaluate COMT activity in moderate/severe psoriasis and assess whether PUVA therapy modifies this activity. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 18 patients with moderate/severe psoriasis and 13 matched controls. Patients were treated with PUVA twice weekly during 6 weeks, and they were evaluated for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and COMT activity before photochemotherapy, at the end of it and 4 weeks after stopping. Results: Before PUVA therapy, S(soluble)‐COMT activity was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in psoriasis patients than in controls. After photochemotherapy, no significant differences were found in S‐COMT activity at all end points. Photochemotherapy significantly decreased PASI but COMT activity values remained higher than those of control population. Conclusion: Psoriasis patients with moderate/severe disease present higher S‐COMT activity than controls. Although a good clinical response was observed, PUVA therapy does not change S‐COMT activity. This differential COMT effect of PUVA and nbUVB suggests a wavelength‐specific regulation.