Serum fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) as a potential biomarker of inflammation in psoriasis

Abstract

Fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) is elevated in psoriatic keratinocytes and could be involved in systemic metabolic disturbances in psoriasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum FABP5 in obese and non-obese psoriatic patients, to assess the relationship between FABP5 and the duration, severity of the disease, inflammatory and metabolic markers and influence of treatment with narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). Seventy-four patients (30 treated with NB-UVB) with psoriasis were enrolled in the study. The serum concentrations of FABP5 were measured using Human FABP5 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Serum fatty acids were measured by gas-liquid chromatography. Serum FABP5 levels in psoriatic patients were higher versus control group (P < 0.001). FABP5 in patients with PASI > 20 was higher compared to the mild group (PASI < 10) (P < 0.001) and serum FABP5 correlated positively with PASI score (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). There was also positive correlation between FABP5 and basic inflammation indices. Decrease of PASI after NB-UVB treatment (P < 0.001) was observed and accompanied by decrease of the serum FABP5 (P = 0.007). FABP5 is a potential marker of psoriasis, its severity and clinical outcome after therapy with NB-UVB. FABP5 may reflect metabolic disturbances in psoriatic patients.

Keywords: Epidermal fatty acid binding protein; Fatty acid binding protein 5; Lipid disturbances; Metabolic syndrome; Narrowband—ultraviolet B; Psoriasis.

Fig. 1

Comparison of serum fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) concentration between patients and controls. Data shown as median and quartiles (Q1, Q3). Significant difference between the groups P < 0.001 *** (n = 74)

Fig. 2

Comparison of serum fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) concentrations between patients according to the severity of the disease. Data shown as median and quartiles (Q1, Q3). Significant difference between the groups P < 0.001*** (PASI – psoriasis area and severity index) (n = 74)

Fig. 3

Correlation between concentrations of serum fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) and PASI (psoriasis area and severity index) (n = 74) (r = 0.42, P < 0.001) (n = 74)