الفهرس 
: PsoriasisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with polygenic predisposition combined with triggering environmental factors. It is a chronic papulosquamous skin disease characterized by complex alterations in epidermal growth and differentiation and multiple biochemical, immunologic, and vascular abnormalities.
It is thought that the altered levels of some elements in the serum of psoriatic patients may serve as markers of the disease condition. This can be used as a diagnostic tool for psoriasis which will also help in understanding the molecular aspects of the etiopathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis.
Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of more than 200 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis and cell division. Zinc possesses antioxidant properties, which may protect against accelerated aging and helps speed up the
healing process after an injury.
Copper plays an important role in our metabolism, largely because it allows many critical enzymes to function properly. Copper is essential for maintaining the strength of the skin, blood vessels, epithelial and connective tissue throughout the body. Copper plays a role in the production of hemoglobin, myelin, melanin and it also keeps thyroid
gland functioning normally.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of zinc and copper in psoriatic patients, and to clarify the relation with the severity of the disease. It was done on 50 patients with psoriasis (divided into 3 subgroups according to PASI score) and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls.
Each patient was subjected to a detailed history taking and full examination. Blood samples were taken from each individual to assess serum levels of zinc and copper. Comparison between serum zinc and copper levels were done between all patients and controls as well as between patients’ subgroups. Correlation between both serum zinc and copper levels and disease duration and severity were also done.
Our results revealed serum levels of zinc to be significantly decreased in patients with psoriasis with significant negative correlation to duration of the disease and disease severity when compared to controls, while serum levels of copper were significantly increased in psoriatic patients with significant positive correlation to duration of the disease and disease severity when compared to controls.