Clinical efficacy of propylthiouracil and its influence on prolactin in psoriatic patients.

Objective: Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an effective drug for psoriasis treatment. Prolactin (PRL) is increased during psoriasis which has hyperproliferative effect on keratinocytes. Hence, the objective is to find the effect of PTU on PRL level in psoriatic patients.

Design And Methods: 25 psoriatic patients and 10 control subjects were involved in the study. Serum PRL, hematological and biochemical parameters, thyroid profile and histopathological examination were performed.

Results: PTU treatment for 6 weeks and 12 weeks cleared psoriatic lesions indicated by decreased PASI score (p<0.001). Patients before treatment showed significantly increased PRL levels (male p<0.01, female p<0.001) when compared to controls, which was found to decrease significantly (male p<0.01, female p<0.001) after 12 weeks. Hematological and biochemical parameters showed no significant change. Histopathology showed reduced thickening of the epidermis and acanthosis after PTU treatment.

Conclusion: Since PRL is a growth hormone involved in hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, this study reveals the antiproliferative effect of PTU. Furthermore, no major side effects were observed following PTU treatment.