Serum TNF-alpha in psoriasis after treatment with propylthiouracil, an antithyroid thioureylene

BMC Dermatol. 2004 Apr 30:4:4. doi: 10.1186/1471-5945-4-4.

Abstract

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and its receptors play important roles in the development and persistence of psoriatic plaques. The antithyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil and methimazole, are effective in the treatment of patients with psoriasis with a significant number of patients showing clearing or near clearing of their lesions after a several weeks of treatment.

Methods: The present study examined the effect of treatment with propylthiouracil, given in a dose of 100 mg every 8 hours for 3 months, on the serum levels of TNF-alpha in 9 patients with plaque psoriasis.

Results: Propylthiouracil therapy did not result in a significant decline in serum TNF-alpha concentrations.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the therapeutic effect of propylthiouracil in psoriasis appears not to be related to any change in the concentration of TNF-alpha but occurs via an anti-proliferative mechanism as we have previously speculated.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antimetabolites / pharmacology
  • Antimetabolites / therapeutic use
  • Antithyroid Agents / pharmacology
  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Propylthiouracil / pharmacology
  • Propylthiouracil / therapeutic use*
  • Psoriasis / blood
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis*

Substances

  • Antimetabolites
  • Antithyroid Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Propylthiouracil