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Serum TNF-α in psoriasis after treatment with propylthiouracil, an antithyroid thioureylene
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.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.