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Selenium and Psoriasis

Biological Trace Element Research volume 150, pages 3–9 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease characterized by production of reactive oxygen species due to the activation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which is thought to be an important factor in inducing and maintaining psoriatic lesions. As an external factor, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation stimulates TNF-α production and secretion by human keratinocytes in vitro and can also reach the upper dermis and suppress endothelial cells in vitro. The selenium level in psoriatic patients has been found to be lower than expected, but studies on its role in the pathogenesis of the disease are scarce. Selenium can influence immune response by changing the expression of cytokines and their receptors or by making immune cells more resistant to oxidative stress. It was reported that selenium supplementation had inhibitory effects on TNF-α levels in patients with psoriasis, but the details are not completely elucidated. Selenium compounds are also known to prevent the in vitro release of UVB-induced proinflammatory cytokines by inhibition of mRNA in human keratinocytes. In the present review, the protective role of selenium in oxidative stress, lesions, and immune system regulation in patients with psoriasis is summarized.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

GSH-Px:

Glutathione peroxidase

GSH:

Glutathione

PUFAs:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

PASI:

Psoriasis area and severity index

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Acknowledgments

There is no financial support in the current study.

Conflict of Interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Süleyman Demirel University, Morfoloji Binasi, Cünür, TR-32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Mustafa Nazıroğlu

  2. Student, Medical Faculty, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey

    Kevser Yıldız & Burcu Tamtürk

  3. Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey

    İjlal Erturan

  4. Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Tijuana Institute of Technology, Tijuana, Mexico

    Manuel Flores-Arce

Authors
  1. Mustafa Nazıroğlu
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  2. Kevser Yıldız
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  3. Burcu Tamtürk
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Correspondence to Mustafa Nazıroğlu.

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Nazıroğlu, M., Yıldız, K., Tamtürk, B. et al. Selenium and Psoriasis. Biol Trace Elem Res 150, 3–9 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9479-5

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Keywords

  • Selenium
  • Selenoprotein P
  • Tumor necrosis factor alpha
  • Oxidative stress
  • Skin
  • Psoriasis