Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) is a cyclic AMP-dependent dual specificity kinase capable of breaking down glycogen and phosphorylating both serine/threonine and tyrosine moieties in the activation of the transcription activator, NF-kB, which in turn is responsible for activating multiple genes responsible for inflammation and cell proliferation. Elevated PhK levels have been observed to correlate with increased phosphorylation and psoriatic activity, while suppression of PhK activity leads to resolution of psoriasis. Genes for psoriatic familial susceptibility have been mapped to 17q and psoriasis susceptibility loci to both 16q and 17q, apparently correlating with genes for the �²-subunit of PhK (mapped to 16q) and the regulatory subunit for cAMP protein kinase (mapped to chromosome 17). These genetic findings provide some credence that defective inhibition of PhK activity may be responsible for its elevated activity in psoriasis. PhK is released within 5 minutes following injurious stimuli, including trauma, contact allergens and infections, which serve as aggravating factors in psoriasis. We have developed a protocol, consisting of inhibition of PhK by its selective inhibitor, curcumin, together with removal of aggravating factors to achieve not only total clearance of psoriasis, but also to produce long term remissions without the need for maintenance therapy. In this presentation, we include details of this combination therapy and identification of aggravating factors in our psoriatic patients.

Biography

Madalene C Y Heng is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Dermatology at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine. From 1979 to 2003, she was a Chief of Division of Dermatology, UCLA San Fernando Valley Medicine Program. She is currently in private practice in Heng Medical at Camarillo, CA and is a Reviewer for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Journal of Geriatric Medicine, British Journal of Dermatology, Lancet, London, and International Journal of Angiology. She is the author of more than 140 scientific publications, including 78 published peer-reviewed articles on topics such as phosphorylase kinase activity and psoriasis, pathophysiology of common skin diseases, and wound healing.

Email: madalene@madalenehengmd.com