Paraoxonases and psoriasis: negative imbalance of anti--oxidant endogenous mechanisms

Numerous reports have shown that psoriasis patients are more exposed to lipoprotein peroxidation and to a decrease in the activity of paraoxonase (PON)1, an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory enzyme. Thus, it has been suggested that malfunction of the anti-oxidant system and an increased production of reactive oxygen species drive immune inflammatory events, that result in progressive skin cell damage in patients with psoriasis. The PON protein family, including PON1, PON2 and PON3, is one of the most important endogenous defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated PON gene expression in psoriasis and in cutaneous oxidative stress.