Effects of the Receptor-IgG Fc Fusion Protein of Recombinant Type Ⅱ Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α on the Levels of Serum Adipokines in Psoriatic Patients: A Prospective Non-randomized Controlled Trial

  Objective  To analyze the effects of the receptor-IgG Fc fusion protein of recombinant type Ⅱ human tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) on serum levels of adiponectin (APN), retinol binding protein 4(RBP4), and leptin (LEP) in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

  Methods  A total of 30patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The psoriatic patients were subcutaneously injected with type Ⅱ human TNF-α receptor-IgG Fc fusion protein 50 mg once a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of APN, RBP4, and LEP were assessed and compared before and after the treatment of 12 weeks, in psoriatic patients, as well as in the controls. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the linear correlations of baseline serum APN, RBP4, LEP levels with psoriasis area and severity index(PASI) in the treatment group.

  Results  Before the treatment, the levels of APN9.73(6.69, 12.37) vs. 14.25(10.53, 23.28), P < 0.001 and LEP0.42(0.17, 2.60) vs. 3.90(1.38, 7.20), P=0.002 were lower, RBP4 was higher12.29(10.62, 21.33) vs. 9.13(7.36, 15.78), P=0.024 in psoriatic patients than those in normal controls. After the treatment, the levels of APN11.95(8.12, 15.26)vs. 9.73(6.69, 12.37), P=0.027 and LEP2.84(1.04, 9.34)vs. 0.42(0.17, 2.60), P < 0.001 in the psoriatic patients were markedly increased, while the level of RBP4 showed no significant change(P=0.125). There was no linear correlation of the levels of APN, RBP4, LEP with PASI in the baseline period.

  Conclusions  APN, RBP4 and LEP are closely related to the chronic inflammatory state of psoriasis. Anti-TNF-α therapy may improve the metabolic state of patients with psoriasis.