Common fatty acids could make psoriasis pain worse

Linoleic acid is a very common omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid in Western cuisine. Its metabolites—the products formed when the body breaks it down through digestion—play a role in skin barrier function. Several linoleic acid-derived mediators that were more concentrated in psoriatic lesions had been previously identified, but the role of these lipids in psoriasis remained unknown, said researchers from North Carolina State University in their study, published in the journal JID Innovations. This prompted them to examine whether these lipids might affect how sensory neurons in the lesions communicate. They investigated whether their presence could be linked to temperature hypersensitivity or pain in patients with psoriasis. Read: Efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib in the treatment of plaque psoriasis According to the Canadian Psoriasis Network, approximately 1%-to-3% of Canadians are currently affected by this autoimmune disease. The results The team of researchers used mass spectrometry to create skin lipid profiles from psoriatic lesions. They focused on two types of linoleic acid-derived lipids or oxylipids: 13-hydroxy-9,10-epoxy octadecenoate (9,13-EHL) and 9,10,13-trihydroxy-octadecenoate (9, 10,13-THL). They found that when these lipids bind to receptors on sensory neurons in the skin, they activate neurons expressing two receptors (TRPA1 and TRPV1) involved in temperature and pain hypersensitivity, thereby opening communication channels to the central nervous system. However, the researchers point out that the lipids had no effect on the itching. Read: Evidence-based suggestions to promote antibiotic stewardship in dermatology “It was surprising that these lipids could create hypersensitivity, but did not impact the itching sensation, which is usually the most bothersome symptom associated with psoriasis,” explained one of the study authors Santosh Mishra in a press release from North Carolina State University. “It most likely has to do with how the neuron is activated—a mechanism that we still haven't discovered.” Towards new therapies? Now that an association between linoleic acid and hypersensitivity to temperature and pain has been established, researchers want to understand how this response is created. These findings could help find solutions to relieve these symptoms in patients with psoriasis. "We know that this lipid changes from one form to another, but we don't yet know what is causing it," added the researcher. “We also know which protein the lipids bind to, but not where the binding occurs. Answering these questions could hopefully lead to new therapies, or dietary solutions, for some people with psoriasis.” This article has been translated from its original French and originally appeared on our sister site Profession Santé.

Common fatty acids could make psoriasis pain worse

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