Serum free 5-methoxypsoralen fraction in health and psoriasis: relationship with human serum albumin concentration

Arch Dermatol Res. 1993;285(5):287-90. doi: 10.1007/BF00371598.

Abstract

Human serum albumin is known to be the main carrier of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in serum. As hypoalbuminaemia may occur in psoriasis with inflammatory syndrome, variability of the free 5-MOP fraction in serum can be expected. The free 5-MOP fraction was determined by equilibrium dialysis in serum samples obtained from 18 psoriatic patients and 18 control subjects. The median free 5-MOP fraction was not significantly different in the psoriatic group (fu = 4.75%) than in the control group (fu = 5%). However, there was a significantly larger variability of the free fraction in the psoriatic group (2.7 to 8.6%) than in the healthy group (3.2 to 6.8%) (p = 0.002). The binding index of 5-MOP (ratio of bound to free concentrations) was correlated with human serum albumin level (r = 0.784). This work confirms that the 5-MOP fraction in human serum is principally serum albumin dependent, as has been described with in vitro models. Free drug monitoring of 5-MOP is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methoxypsoralen
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methoxsalen / analogs & derivatives*
  • Methoxsalen / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • PUVA Therapy*
  • Protein Binding
  • Psoriasis / blood
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Serum Albumin / analysis*

Substances

  • Serum Albumin
  • 5-Methoxypsoralen
  • Methoxsalen