Psoriasis

Overview

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, scaly, red patches that form on the elbows, forearms, knees, legs, or scalp. It features thickened epidermis, which reveals bleeding points when the scales are removed. The underlying cause of psoriasis is uncontrolled cell growth. Normally, keratinocytes (a type of skin cell) have a 28-day life cycle. It usually takes 14 days for a keratinocyte to fully develop and migrate from the lower to the outermost layer of the skin. During the remaining 14 days, the keratinocyte dies and is shed. In psoriasis, keratinocytes have a significantly accelerated life cycle, migrating to the surface in only four days. Psoriasis is regarded as an organ-specific autoimmune disease.

 Psoriasis afflicts 1% - 3% of the general population.  Of this 1% - 3% of the general population, the Scalp is affected in approximately 40% of cases.  ^[1]

 Psoriasis - Treatments

Amino Acids

 Elevated Homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Psoriasis.  ^[2]

 Excessive accumulation of Polyamines (due to inadequate digestion of dietary Proteins or inefficient absorption of Amino Acids or excessive activity of the Ornithine Decarboxylase enzyme) may be an underlying cause of Psoriasis.  ^[3]

Enzymes

 Excessive Guanyl Cyclase activity may be implicated in Psoriasis.

 Excessive activity of (inducible) Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in the Epidermis may cause Psoriasis.  ^[4]

 Excessive Ornithine Decarboxylase production or activity may be implicated in Psoriasis (it catalyzes the production of Polyamines, which are believed to be an underlying cause of Psoriasis).  ^[5]

 Excessive activity of (nonpancreatic) Phospholipase A2 in the Skin may cause Psoriasis.  ^[6]

Immune System Chemicals

 Interleukin 8 may be involved in the development of Psoriasis.  ^[7]

 Elevated levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) may be implicated in Psoriasis.  ^[8]

Lipids

 Excessive 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid (12-HETE) production may be implicated in Psoriasis (cellular 12-HETE levels are 250 to 810 times higher in the Epidermis of affected areas of the Skin of Psoriasis patients compared to non-involved cells of the Epidermis of Psoriasis patients).  ^[9]

 Excessive production of Series 4 Leukotrienes may be implicated in Psoriasis.  ^[10]

 Excessive production of Leukotriene B4may be implicated in Psoriasis.  ^[11]