Lectins Treatment for Psoriasis

The National Institute of Health estimates that 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, the most prevalent and chronic autoimmune disease in our country. And 125 million other individuals worldwide also have it. So exploring new treatments for this disease could help over 2 percent of the American population who suffer from this difficult skin condition. Many different treatments currently exist - from topically applied lotions and creams to injections and intravenous infusions (IV). However, another emerging treatment option, lectins, seeks to stop the disease at the skin cell level by prohibiting cell reproduction.

Psoriasis process of development

The epidermis, the top layer of our skin, is predominantly made up of 95 percent of keratinocytes. Keratinocytes are skin cells. These cells also exist below the skin's surface--in the basal location beneath the upper level of skin--and emerge to replace the top layer of skin as needed, since our top layer of skin cells sheds and dies on a fairly regular basis. Psoriasis develops when these basal-located Keratinocytes become overactive, multiplying and producing more skin cells than we need. As all these new skin cells migrate upwards to the top layer of skin all at once, and in a quantity not needed, we experience psoriasis.

Types of psoriasis

Psoriasis can be broken down into five types: plaque, pustular, guttate, inverse and erythrodermic. The most common, plaque psoriasis, affects 80 percent of those who suffer from psoriasis. It affects the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. Guttate can be brought on by an infection, stress, injury or certain types of drug/medication use. It is commonly displayed on the trunk (chest/back) as well as the limbs of the body.

Another is inverse psoriasis. It is found in skin fold areas of the body: under the breast and armpit, as well as in the skin folds of the groin, buttocks and genitals. Erythrodermic psoriasis can cause fluid loss, possible congestive heart failure, pneumonia and infection. It is so serious it can lead to hospitalization for treatment. Pustular psoriasis actually has three subtypes: von Zumbasch, palmoplantar pustulosis, and acropustulosis. Fever, chills, muscle weakness and dehydration often accompany von Zumbasch psoriasis and require immediate medical attention. Palmoplantar pustulosis appears only on the palms of the hands and the feet and is aggravated by those who smoke. Acropustulosis, a very rare psoriasis, can be very painful since it appears at the very end of toes and fingers, making it difficult to perform even the most daily functions.

Current treatments

Salicylic acid (basically a skin peeler) and coal tar (made from coal and wood, actually--like juniper and pine trees) are typically used in over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments for mild psoriasis. However, salicylic acid can cause skin irritation and burning if too much is used and coal tar has been known to cause cancer. Topical prescriptions being used to treat psoriasis include: Anthralin, Dovonex, Taclonex, and Tazorec.

Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, and Acitretin are drugs used to treat severe psoriasis. However, if you have certain other medical conditions these drugs may not be an option for you due to potential adverse affects. So, if you have an infection, are alcoholic, have liver or kidney abnormalities, have low platelets or white blood cell count, are anemic, have high blood pressure, gout, a history of cancer, are pregnant, have high triglycerides, or you are allergic to retinoids, you need to advise your doctor before taking these medications.

Biologics (Amevive, Humira, Enbrel, Remicade and Raptiva) are all given as injections (except Remicade, which is given as an infusion), in order to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. But if an infection or a compromised immune system is present, or the individual is pregnant, then these medications are not given. In addition, some rare side effects of these medications include: development of nervous system disorders (like MS), blood disorders and some cancers. Lastly, after June 8, 2009, Raptiva will be completely phased out of the U.S. market as a treatment option due to the manufacturer's voluntary withdrawal; the reason is unknown.

Lectin treatments

Lectins can be both good and bad. Some lectins stimulate cell production (known as mitogens), thus creating increased cell growth that can be problematic medically (think tumors). Another lectin, Agaricus bisporus lectin (ABL), was discovered to actually inhibit such cell proliferation in Keratinocytes. As mentioned earlier, Keratinocytes are your body's skin cells that can run amok and overproduce cells, resulting in the skin disease psoriasis.

Jacalin lectin (created from the Jackfruit seed) and Agaricus bisporous lectin (ABL) were both available for commercial purchase - and mentioned in Johnathon Rhodes' patented lectin study in 1989 about their potential benefit for psoriasis treatment--but they were not being used for that purpose. Rhodes' study purports that psoriasis could be successfully treated using topical products like cream or lotion which had been formulated with a percentage of ABL lectin. However, that particular product has not been released onto the market to date. But there are companies moving in that direction, and Lectin Labs is one of them. A link to Lectin Labs' website, as well as other key information included in this article can be accessed in the Resources section below.

Significance

Lectin treatment, once it is developed and available for use, might hold the key to treating psoriasis without the adverse effects sometimes experienced with other treatment methods. In addition, since it is derived from plants and animals rather than man-made chemicals, it poses a greater likelihood of being a treatment that individuals can use who have been unable to use other severe psoriasis treatments.