2020 Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 153-159
Background: Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, has a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The fat stored in obese people tends to be proinflammatory, however, certain fatty acids such as short-chain fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. Although short-chain fatty acids are known to attenuate inflammation in several diseases, the effect of short-chain fatty acids, such as β-hydroxybutyrate, on psoriasis remains unknown.
Objectives: To investigate the role of β-hydroxybutyrate in psoriasis.
Materials and Methods: Several short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate were administered to murine imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. The clinical score was evaluated through the course of this treatment and the number of infiltrating neutrophils was counted. The expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-17 in skin tissues was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, β-hydroxybutyrate was added to IL-17-stimulated HaCaT cells and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and receptors for β-hydroxybutyrate were measured.
Results: β-Hydroxybutyrate significantly improved skin symptoms and attenuated neutrophilic infiltration. β-Hydroxybutyrate also reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17. In addition, β-hydroxybutyrate reduced the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in IL-17-stimulated HaCaT cells.
Conclusion: These results suggest that β-hydroxybutyrate reduces psoriasiform dermatitis and it may act directly on keratinocytes to reduce inflammation.
