The effect of methotrexate on activity of T-lymphocyte marker enzymes in patients with psoriasis vulgaris
Vlcek, F.; Mikulíková, D.
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 96(3): 137-140
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-9248 PMID: 7633926 Document Number: 454621
Radiochromatographic methods were used in order to ascertain the activity of adenosinedeaminase and purinnucleoside phosphorylase in lymphocytes isolated from the venous blood of 32 patients with psoriasis vulgaris in comparison with enzyme activities in 28 clinically healthy subjects. 11 selected patients with a severe form of psoriasis were subdued to therapy by means of methotrexate and its effect on the activity of these enzymes was investigated. Untreated patients yielded a statistically significant increase in the activities of adenosinedeaminase and purinnucleoside phosphorylase in comparison to the control group of healthy subjects. The increase rate of enzymatic activities abruptly reflexed the degree of affliction and spreading of the pathological process. Methotrexate significantly decreased the activity of both investigated enzymes in lymphocytes in patients with psoriasis. On the basis of the achieved results it is possible to justify the therapy of psoriasis by means of drugs which influence the metabolism of purines and at the same time they interfere the function of T-lymphocytes.