Study on systemic organ lesions by inflammatory cytokines caused by chronic dermatitis

Abstract

Research has identified that patients with severe eczema can be at risk of increased cardiovascular invents as a result of chronic and acute release of eczematous cytokines that provide the inflammatory response, not only in terms of skin-based effects such as lesions, but also cause sclerotic changes to arteries affecting the health of the circulatory system. To further explain, Yamanaka highlights that: ‘IL-1α is stored in the epidermal keratinocyte in the basal layer of the skin and if keratinocytes are injured by excoriation (scratching) or eruption, IL-1α is spontaneously released from the skin, which comes into the systemic circulation. Following this, an immature form of IL-1β is activated by enzymes from skin infiltrating inflammatory cells and then IL-1β mature form is released, which comes into the systemic circulation. Those cytokines trigger fat tissue remodelling at the cellular level and as a result cause endothelial damage, resulting in the arteriosclerosis.’ Yamanaka explains: ‘We have also observed arteriosclerosis in the brain artery causing a decrease in brain circulation that could cause a decrease in brain function, and measurements suggest that as a result of changes to glucose update, brain function can decrease in skin disease models.’ Yamanaka underlines that: ‘Data from previous research in mice where cytokine was overexpressed suggests the effect is complex and can involve a number of impacts from weight loss to shorter life span, but it is difficult to differentiate between organs and quantify what the specific and cumulative impacts on health are.’ Yamanaka also suggests: ‘Systematic inflammation can be affected by levels of obesity in an individual, that can also affect the effectiveness of systematic therapy which has short-term and long-term impacts on the treatment regimens used and success rates, which requires further research and understanding.’