Zinc in Treatment of Psoriasis

Serum zinc and copper levels and the results of treatment with systemic zinc sulfate are presented in 10 demonstrative cases. All patients in this series complained of typical skin manifestations of psoriasis. In each case the diagnosis was proven histologically. Serum zinc levels (82.6± 1.93 g/dl) were below that of normal controls at the first visit, gradually rose following oral treatment reaching to (99.3± 6.01 g/dl) on the second month (p<0.05) and climbed to 103.6 g/dl during the subsequent months. Simultaneously the clinical manifestations of psoriasis improved and finally disappeared. Serum copper levels were maintained within normal limits. The mean serum copper level was 107.8± 5.85 g/dl at the beginning of the treatment. It was slightly reduced at the end of third month was later maintained near the initial level (109.3± 8.2 g/dl, p>0.05). The improvement therefore of the clinical status of the patients was most likely because of restoration of serum zinc level to normal.