Influence of narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy on plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in psoriatic patients

INTRODUCTION Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) may play an important role in the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. AIM To investigate plasma levels of the selected enzyme in plaque psoriasis patients before and after the course of narrowband UVB (NBUVB) therapy with respect to disease advancement. MATERIAL AND METHODS The cohort included 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis, divided into groups according to severity of the disease. The control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of MMP-12 were determined using immunoenzyme assay (ELISA), while the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to define disease advancement. RESULTS The results have shown a significantly decreased plasma level of MMP-12 in the total psoriasis patient group compared to healthy individuals, declining with the increase in disease advancement. The NBUVB therapy caused a decrease in the concentration of the analyzed enzyme, but this change was not statistically significant in the total group of psoriatic patients, while a significant change was detected in patients with a mild advancement of the disease. CONCLUSIONS Decreased synthesis of MMP-12 may lead to the stimulation of the epidermal angiogenesis process, which results in the appearance and spread of psoriatic scales. Based on the obtained results, macrophage metalloelastase seems to be a negatively reacting plasma biomarker of the studied disease.