Scientists have discovered a possible cause of psoriasis and are closer to treating the disease
psoriasis This is one of the diseases that traditionally awakens more people. social rejectionalthough it is not contagious. Striking appearance of scaly and reddish skin, very unsightly, in addition to physical impactprovoke psychological problems to many patients.
That’s why it was very important that every October 29th World Psoriasis Daysome personality stepped up and made this disorder visible in order to destigmatize it. In recent years they have done Cara Delevingne, Cameron Diaz and Britney Spears or here in Spain, Manu Tenorio.
Psoriasis is chronic and painful disease. There are treatments to reduce symptoms, but there is no cure. And beyond the visible part, this can have serious consequences and affect other organs. That’s why it’s important to find final decision. A very new approach proposed by researchers from University of Bathin the United Kingdom, could find the key.
The reason may be iron control
Psoriasis is associated with immune system. The final reason is excessive proliferation of skin cells to which is added an abnormally high concentration of neutrophils (a type of protective cells) responsible for cellular inflammation.
It is unknown why this happens. psoriasis it’s hereditaryalthough experts also believe that excess weight, tobacco, stress and some infections they may approve of it. It was also observed that patients high iron levels in the skin, but the reasons for this excess and the connection with psoriasis have not been found.
Now researchers from Bath have discovered that hormone responsible for regulating iron levels, hepcidinmay be a process trigger.
Healthy people produce the hormone hepcidin. only in the liver. But these scientists found that in people with psoriasis, this hormone also formed in the skin.
The basis of the medicine to treat it?
This discovery was made through research on laboratory mice, which have genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Excess of the hormone hepcidin in the skin causes more iron is retained than needed and psoriasis appeared.
“new Treatment aimed at balancing iron hormone levels on the skin is an innovative approach and hope for these patients.“, assured Dr. Charare Pourzandco-author of the study.
Iron is essential mineral for the body. This is critical for transport oxygen for blood and also for maintain healthy skin: Promotes healing, collagen production, and also promotes immune system function.
However, too much iron can be harmful. Expand negative effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun and promotes the overproduction of cells that causes psoriasis.
When will we be able to get a new treatment?
The investigation will now focus on finding out what is best. mechanism for controlling excess of this hormone. There are several drugs that can achieve this, so there is a way forward. We are talking about correcting excess iron and in what proportion.
Patients who will benefit most from this treatment are: pustular psoriasisserious variant of the disease. Not only the skin is affected, but also the nails and joints. So far it has been shown resistant to other treatments.
One must think that the investigation is at the first stage. It is necessary to make sure that the observations of Bath scientists are confirmed in humans and then the treatment is effective. Still It will take several years to bring a drug to market if everything goes well.
Psoriasis affects between 2% and 3% of the population. Luckily, there are different degrees, and not all of them are as severe as pustular psoriasis. Despite its chronic nature, this disease is not constant throughout life. Usually appear as flashes. They are more common among young people up to 30 yearsand among 60 and 70years.
Eat creams and other drugs to reduce the effects. Today, biological treatments targeting molecules that trigger inflammation are producing good results. Until 90% of patients recover and nearly half succeed in stopping the outbreak.