79 | id == 79
79 | category_id == 5
79 | category_order == 3
79 | category_name == Inflammation
79 | category_color == #C47AC0
79 | slug == STAT3-Psoriasis
79 | title == Could This Gene Play A Role In Psoriasis? (STAT3)
79 | meta_description == STAT3 variants may be linked with the risk and severity of psoriasis. Read on to find out where your genes stand!
79 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>STAT3</em> gene is involved in fine-tuning the immune response. In the case of psoriasis, STAT3 activation causes both inflammation and thickening of the skin. Genetic variants that alter how the <em>STAT3</em> gene works may influence the risk and severity of psoriasis. Read on to learn more about your variants for this gene!</strong></p>
79 | overall_score_text == Psoriasis Score (based on STAT3 gene)
79 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/STAT3_Inflammation_post_image.jpg
79 | author_id == 12
79 | author_name == Carlos Tello
79 | author_title == PhD
79 | author_order == 55
79 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/CarlosTello.webp
79 | author_intro == <p><strong>Carlos received his PhD and MS from the Universidad de Sevilla.</strong></p>    <p>Carlos spent 9 years in the laboratory investigating mineral transport in plants. He then started working as a freelancer, mainly in science writing, editing, and consulting. Carlos is passionate about learning the mechanisms behind biological processes and communicating science to both academic and non-academic audiences. He strongly believes that scientific literacy is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid falling for scams.</p>
79 | author_social_media_name == linkedin
79 | author_social_media_icon == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/social-icon/linkedin.png
79 | author_social_order == 1
79 | author_social_link == https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-tello-lacal-b946b4a7/
79 | reviewer == None
79 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
79 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
79 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
79 | publish_date == 2020
79 | publish_date == 1
79 | publish_date == 18
79 | avg_rating == 5.0
79 | tags_id == 33
79 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
79 | tags_id == 96
79 | tags_name == Cytokines
79 | tags_id == 95
79 | tags_name == Immune System
79 | tags_id == 24
79 | tags_name == Inflammation
79 | tags_id == 85
79 | tags_name == Psoriasis
79 | tags_id == 210
79 | tags_name == STAT3 Gene
79 | permissions_favorite == False
79 | permissions_rate == False
79 | content_article == <table style="width: 90%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" border="1" cellpadding="10"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: justify;"><strong>Note:</strong> If you're curious to learn more about the many different genetic factors that can influence chronic inflammation <span style="font-weight: 400;">&mdash;</span> and what you can potentially do to counteract them <span style="font-weight: 400;">&mdash;</span> we highly recommend checking out SelfDecode's <a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/gene-reports/inflammation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>Inflammation DNA Wellness Report</em></strong></a>, which will you give you personalized analysis of many key inflammation-related genes!</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What Is The <em>STAT3 </em>Gene?</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/stat3/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for one member of a family of proteins called </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">s</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ignal </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">t</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ransducer and </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">a</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ctivator of </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">t</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ranscription</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or just &ldquo;STAT&rdquo; for short. STAT proteins are activated by other proteins (such as </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/jak2/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">JAK</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), which causes them to bind to DNA to turn certain genes &ldquo;on&rdquo; or &ldquo;off&rdquo; [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to the STAT3 protein specifically, its main role is to control the expression of genes involved in the growth, development, and activation of immune system cells. This process is triggered by &ldquo;messenger molecules&rdquo; called </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">cytokines</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. While STAT3 responds to many different cytokines, the main ones involved in psoriasis include </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/interleukin-6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-6</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/interleukin-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-1</span></a><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/th17/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/il21/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-21</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, IL-22, and </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/il23r/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-23</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050093/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2733795/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796120/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene encodes a protein that either activates or blocks the expression of genes required for the function of immune cells, depending on how the protein is activated.</span></span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>STAT3 and Immunity Regulation</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The immune system protects the body from infections and cancer under normal circumstances, but can also cause allergies and inflammatory/autoimmune disorders when imbalanced! STAT3 responds to cytokines that either activate or block the immune response &mdash; in other words, it is one of the mechanisms the body uses to fine-tune the immune system.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the one hand, STAT3 contributes to the development and function of the cells that:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Promote inflammation and kill microbes (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/neutrophils/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">neutrophils</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11239451/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2858484/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Present infectious particles to T-cells (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">dendritic cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3507145/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produce antibodies (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B-cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1895520/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1895906/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396759/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fight off infections, but which may cause autoimmune and inflammatory disorders if overactivated (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/th17/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Th17</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17277312/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17404271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2435016/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quickly respond to repeated infections that the body has already developed immunity against (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">memory T-cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228524/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3431922/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 also activates the immune response by reducing the production of immunosuppressive T-cells (also known as &ldquo;</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/treg/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tregs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">&rdquo;) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441059/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the other hand, STAT3 can also act as an immunosuppressant by:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Increasing the expression of its own blocker (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SOC3</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC22025/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14975238/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12754505/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Preventing the development of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">dendritic cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15356132/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Blocking the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">white blood cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">neutrophils</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">macrophages</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">dendritic cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10023769/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12193690/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099405/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Producing the B-cells that suppress defense and autoimmunity (commonly known as &ldquo;Bregs&rdquo;) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048323/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Helping Tregs block </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/th17/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Th17</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> development [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408196/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088485/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The STAT3 protein plays a fine-tuning role in the immune system, as it can both stimulate or suppress the immune response under different circumstances.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>STAT3</em>&rsquo;s Role in Psoriasis</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin presenting with red patches that are typically covered with silvery scales and may be itchy or painful. Psoriasis can be accompanied by many other conditions, the most common one being arthritis (developed by approximately one-third of patients). Others include heart disease, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, mood disorders, and lymph system cancer [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796120"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4628849"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists think that psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which skin components released by injuries or infections activate the cells that present infectious particles to T-cells (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">dendritic</span></em> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">cells</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) to produce cytokines such as IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/supplements-lifestyle-factors-influence-tnf-interleukin-6-il-6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">TNF-alpha</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/interleukin-6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-6</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and IL-23, which in turn triggers skin inflammation and thickening [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2737167/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25470744/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796120"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of these, IL-6 and IL-23 play a key role in STAT3-associated psoriasis. Upon activation by these cytokines, STAT3 promotes the development of immature T cells into Th17 and their ability to produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17581537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17878325/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1459629/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442631/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition, the activation of STAT3 by IL-6 inactivates immunosuppressive Tregs, further worsening inflammation in people with psoriasis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903207/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26627723/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. IL-6 also promotes the production of the cytokine IL-21, which not only activates STAT3 but also stimulates its own production and amplifies IL-23 activity (by increasing the production of its receptor IL-23R) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17581537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alternatively, high IL-21 levels in the skin (resulting from STAT3 activation by IL-6) stimulate skin cell multiplication and are associated with increased psoriasis severity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19684581/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27508040/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. In these cells, STAT3 activation by the cytokine IL-22 also increases skin inflammation and thickening [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17187052/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21098725/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, STAT3 also induces the production of K17, a skin protein believed to trigger the autoimmune response in people with psoriasis, in response to cytokines such as IL-17, IL-22, and </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/interferon-gamma-how-to-increase-decrease-high-low-levels/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IFN-gamma</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21796151/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396590/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26464667/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. This protein stabilized STAT3 in a cell-based study, possibly amplifying its own effects [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29859926"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taken together, STAT3 activation by IL-6 in T cells triggers and amplifies the inflammatory response associated with psoriasis. Its activation in skin cells worsens inflammation and causes skin thickening.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Increased STAT3 activity is a typical feature of psoriasis. In response to different cytokines, STAT3 contributes to the development and progression of psoriasis by promoting T-cell development and increasing skin inflammation and thickening.</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>STAT3 </em>Variants and Psoriasis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The most widely-studied </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">polymorphism is </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/snp/rs744166/"><strong>rs744166</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Although its mechanism remains unknown, some researchers have suggested that certain variants may alter the structure of the STAT3 protein and how it responds to cytokines. Because psoriasis seems associated with STAT3 activation, this variant may favor its interaction with cytokines such as IL-6, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4186844/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796120"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two studies on over 7,500 European descendants and a Chinese population of almost 800 people associated the minor allele &lsquo;G&rsquo; with an increased incidence of psoriasis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322238/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28420002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. However, the association didn&rsquo;t reach statistical significance in another Chinese population [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24419661"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. The contribution of this allele to psoriasis may thus depend on the genetic composition of the different ethnic groups.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As previously mentioned, psoriasis may end up affecting the joints and developing into arthritis. In a Spanish population of over 2,000 people, the &lsquo;GG&rsquo; genotype of rs744166 was associated with an increased frequency of psoriatic arthritis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23127549"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele of rs744166 has been associated with psoriasis in European descendants and one out of two Chinese populations evaluated. The &lsquo;GG&rsquo; genotype was linked to psoriatic arthritis in a Spanish population.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Interactions with Other Genes</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The binding of IL-23 to its receptor IL-23R can also activate the STAT3 protein and thus stimulate Th17 development and function. The &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant of the </span><a href="../../snp/rs11209026/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs11209026</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> polymorphism, which encodes a version of the IL-23R protein where an </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-arginine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">arginine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is changed to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/15-proven-health-benefits-glutamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">glutamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, has been reported to protect against psoriasis and prevent STAT3 activation in response to IL-23 according to two studies in approximately 100 European participants [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043090/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3778837/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your <em>STAT3 </em>Results for Psoriasis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can see your genotype for the <em>STAT3</em> rs744166 SNP in the table below. However, keep in mind that these results are based on association studies suggesting that certain genetic variants are more common in people with psoriasis. More research will be needed to know what role (if any) this variant plays in actually <em>causing</em> this condition. Also, many different factors, including other genetic and environmental factors, can influence the risk of psoriasis: therefore, just because you have one of these genotypes does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing it!</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>*8259500703713016*</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP: </strong><strong><em>STAT3 </em></strong><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/snp/rs744166/"><strong>rs744166</strong></a><strong>:</strong></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Less common in people with psoriasis.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = More common in people with psoriasis.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Population Frequency:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both homozygous genotypes are roughly similar in frequency. 44% of the world population has &lsquo;AG&rsquo;.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In European descendants, the frequency of the &lsquo;GG&rsquo; genotype is reduced to 19%.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>*4421101157046199*</strong></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Standard of Care for Psoriasis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure to talk to your doctor if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, especially if you are concerned about the appearance of your skin or the condition causes you discomfort, makes performing routine tasks difficult, or affects the nails or joints.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although there is no cure for psoriasis, the symptoms can be managed with treatments that reduce inflammation and clear the skin. Mild to moderate cases are typically managed with topical creams, ointments, shampoos, and scalp solutions containing:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Corticosteroids:</strong> they reduce inflammation and itching by targeting STAT3 and other pro-inflammatory pathways. However, they are not recommended in the long term because they may stop working over time and cause adverse effects such as skin thinning [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6753639/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Vitamin D</strong></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> analogs (such as <em>calcipotriol</em>):</strong> they slow skin cell growth, in part by reducing </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28130440"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Anthralin</em>:</strong> it helps reduce skin cell growth and remove scales but is messy and can irritate the skin.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/importance-real-vitamin-retinol/">Vitamin A</a></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> derivatives (<em>retinoids</em>):</strong> they may reduce inflammation but also increase sensitivity to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sunlight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Interestingly, retinoids such as </span><em><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/importance-real-vitamin-retinol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">retinoic acid</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and acitretin reduced STAT3 activity in cell-based studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27089940"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5447439/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Calcineurin inhibitors (such as <em>tacrolimus</em> and <em>pimecrolimus</em>):</strong> they reduce inflammation and plaque buildup but are not recommended in the long term because they may increase the risk of some cancer types.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Salicylic acid</em>:</strong> it reduces scaling and promotes the sloughing of dead skin. Although they were investigated for anticancer purposes in the study, salicylic acid derivatives reduced STAT3 activity in cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3192013/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Coal tar:</strong> it reduces itching, scaling, and inflammation, but stains clothing, has a strong smell, and may irritate the skin. Its component carbazole blocked </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression in cells. Because it makes the skin more receptive to UVB radiation, coal tar is used together with UVB phototherapy as part of the Goeckerman treatment [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16614726"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Moisturizers:</strong> they may reduce itching, scaling, and dryness.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Light therapy uses </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">UV</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> radiation and can be applied either alone or as an add-on to medications. The simplest way is to increase exposure to UV in sunlight or artificial light. Because intense UV exposure can damage the skin and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">worsen </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">psoriasis symptoms, it&rsquo;s important to consult a doctor about the safest ways to use it for psoriasis treatment.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other forms of light therapy include:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Broadband UVB phototherapy:</strong> controlled UVB doses may improve mild to moderate symptoms but may also cause adverse effects such as skin redness, itching, and dryness. In addition, UVB may increase inflammation and skin cell growth by activating STAT3. The direct targeting of more powerful UVB radiation to psoriasis plaques (excimer laser therapy) prevents adverse effects on healthy skin and requires fewer sessions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23614738"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27864909"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Narrow-band UVB:</strong> using a more narrow UVB wavelength range may be more effective to improve psoriasis symptoms, although it also increases the risk and severity of burns. As opposed to broadband UVB, this treatment reduced STAT3 activation and skin cell growth in cellular and animal studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21412260"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29349514"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Goeckerman therapy:</strong> as previously described, this therapy combines coal tar with UVB phototherapy and is more effective than either treatment alone [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16614726"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA):</strong> this therapy combines the light-sensitizing medication psoralen with UVA radiation, which penetrates the skin deeper than UVB. The treatment is only used for severe cases because it&rsquo;s more aggressive. As was the case for UVB, UVA may also increase skin cell growth through STAT3 activation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11553624"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445260/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When psoriasis is severe or resistant to other treatments, the symptoms can be managed with systemic (oral or injected) medications such as:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Retinoids</em>:</strong> oral retinoids such as acitretin may be more effective than topical preparations but may cause adverse effects such as lip inflammation and hair loss. Because they are associated with severe birth defects, women must avoid pregnancy for at least 3 years after taking this medication.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Methotrexate</em>:</strong> oral methotrexate reduces inflammation and skin cell production, but may cause digestive issues and fatigue in the short term, and liver damage and reduced blood cell production in the long term. Interestingly, this drug reduced STAT3 activation in cell-based studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5835257/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31654627"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Cyclosporine</em>:</strong> this immunosuppressant reduces inflammation but can only be taken short-term because it increases the risk of infections and cancer. As was the case for methotrexate, cyclosporine reduced STAT3 activation in cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27264264"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Biologic agents:</strong> these drugs are normally given by injection and interfere with the triggering of the immune system by suppressing specific components of inflammatory pathways. Two of them (etanercept and ustekinumab) were shown to reduce the expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(among other genes) in two studies on 33 psoriasis patients and matched healthy controls [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21865674"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31330078"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. An oral JAK blocker approved for psoriatic arthritis (tofacitinib) reduced STAT3 activity in cells and is being investigated as a treatment for psoriasis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6276416/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4717390/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26051365"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29182790/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Other drugs</strong>, such as <em>thioguanine</em> and <em>hydroxyurea</em>, can be used in people not taking any other medications.</span></li> </ul> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Complementary Strategies that May Help with Psoriasis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may consider trying the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for improving your psoriasis after discussing them. However, always remember that none of these should ever be used to replace whatever your doctor has recommended or prescribed!</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>*9667094402073257*</strong></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoking is associated with an increased incidence of psoriasis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26275356"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683129/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Although this effect hasn&rsquo;t been tested in the particular case of psoriasis, exposure to cigarette smoke or its compound </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/28-proven-health-benefits-nicotine-4-potential-risks/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">nicotine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increased the production of IL-6 and STAT3 in animals and cells [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2737544/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30317657"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Due to the well-known negative health effects of smoking, giving up this habit is always a good idea whether it helps with your psoriasis symptoms or not.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, </span><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been associated with psoriasis onset or worsening [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928455/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29516474"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">] although one of the analyses found the evidence insufficient [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29124739"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Interestingly, a meta-analysis associated stress with increased levels of the STAT3 activator IL-6 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17475444"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Based on this, improving psoriasis may add to the multiple health benefits of reducing stress, learning to manage it, or </span><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/factors-counteract-stress-response/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">inhibiting its response</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Smoking and stress are associated with an increased incidence and severity of psoriasis, among other negative effects on health. Preliminary evidence suggests these factors increase the production of STAT3 and its activator IL-6.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/fish-oil-top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Omega-3 fatty acids</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> found in </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fish oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may reduce the symptoms and incidence of psoriasis according to some human studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30778861"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4134971/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31155371"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">], although the results are mixed [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28261950"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5352531/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. In mice, dietary omega-3 reduced Th17 development, in part by preventing IL-6 from activating STAT3 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4093987/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the evidence to support their use in psoriasis is weak, up to 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day is generally recognized as safe. You may take supplements or include fish such as mackerel, salmon, seabass, sardines, and trout in your diet.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several studies have associated </span><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> deficiency with an increased incidence and severity of psoriasis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22013980/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24124829/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23394917"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. In addition to taking supplements or synthetic analogs such as </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/natural-ways-to-increase-calcitrol-and-vitamin-d-receptor-gene-expression/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">calcitriol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can increase your levels of this vitamin by combining a diet rich in foods such as cheese, eggs, fatty fish, and beef liver with moderate exposure to sunlight.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Eating a diet rich in fish oil and vitamin D may help reduce the incidence and severity of psoriasis. However, more research in humans is required to confirm the potential benefits.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are several studies reporting that some supplements (or their active compounds, in parentheses) may both improve psoriasis and reduce STAT3 activity. However, these compounds have only been tested in animals and cells &mdash; therefore we cannot conclude for certain whether their effects will apply to human users as well without additional research!</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moreover, none of these compounds have undergone the extensive testing required for FDA approval. Regulations set manufacturing standards for the people who sell the compounds, but the manufacturers don't otherwise do the full research that is required to say whether they are safe or effective. This is a big part of the reason why it&rsquo;s always important to make sure you talk to your doctor before trying out any new supplements!</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some of these supplements include:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Genistein [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30743203"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/19-health-benefits-of-berberine-with-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Berberine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6426889/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-11-science-based-health-benefits-luteolin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luteolin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5108310/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/15-promising-thunder-god-vine-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thunder god vine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (<em>multi-glycoside</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4990293/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coltsfoot (<em>tussilagonone</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31877316"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Turmeric (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/curcumin-cures-top-15-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-with-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">curcumin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537989/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3692410/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paeony (<em>paeoniflorin</em> and total <em>glucosides</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31356966"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31836457"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26738780"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taxifolin (a plant flavonoid related to </span><em><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/quercetin-22-scientifically-proven-benefits-quercetin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">quercetin</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31881484"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Devil&rsquo;s trumpet (<em>withanolides</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680890/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/salvia-miltiorrhiza-red-sage/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Red sage</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (<em>cryptotanshinone</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29427477"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/rhodiola/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rhodiola</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (<em>salidroside</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31495284"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/sarsaparilla/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chinaroot</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (<em>astilbin</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26784569"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chinese herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Indigo naturalis </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(<em>indirubin</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30064075"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chinese herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lithospermum erythrorhizon </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(<em>shikonin</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24521871"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chinese herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Antrodia cinnamomea </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26477794"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Asian herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dictamnus dasycarpus </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6889627/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Ayurvedic herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tinospora cordifolia </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26016607"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Ayurvedic herb </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/celastrus-paniculatus-2/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Celastrus paniculatus</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26016607"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, the following supplements (or their active compounds, in parentheses) prevented STAT3 activation by UV radiation in animal and cell-based studies. Further research is needed to establish if they may be helpful in the case of people with overactive </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">STAT3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants receiving UV phototherapy for psoriasis:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/pomegranate/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pomegranate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> extract [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16613491"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Caffeic acid</em> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27029485"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/benefits-rosemary/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rosemary</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (<em>carnosol</em>) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6426997/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chinese herb </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zanthoxylum bungeanum </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(sanshool) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6325150/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">According to some early evidence from animal and cell studies, there are a number of supplements that may potentially improve psoriasis and reduce STAT3 activity &mdash; but additional research will be needed to know if any of these are safe and effective in humans as well.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Pharmaceutical Drugs</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The FDA-approved drugs <em>sunitinib</em> and <em>niclosamide</em> reduced skin inflammation and thickening in mice and cells, in part by lowering STAT3 activity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29382533"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31846070"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Whether these drugs may have the same effects in people with psoriasis merits further research.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Importantly, keep in mind that these are prescription-only drugs approved for some cancer types (<em>sunitinib</em>) or tapeworm infestations (<em>niclosamide</em>), and may have unwanted adverse effects. They may help you with psoriasis if you are already taking them for their approved uses &mdash; but never add or change medications without first talking to your doctor.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The traditional Chinese medicine Qingying Tang improved psoriasis symptoms and reduced the production of STAT3, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23), and Th17 cells in a clinical trial on 72 people. Unfortunately, the study hasn&rsquo;t been translated from Chinese and we couldn&rsquo;t access its specifics for a critical analysis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30868829"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two other Chinese multiherbal medicines (Psoriasis 1 and Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang) reduced psoriasis inflammation by suppressing STAT3 and other pro-inflammatory pathways in animal- and cell-based studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6102645/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30166108"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. These preliminary results should guide further investigational efforts to establish if the preparations act similarly in humans.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Importantly, remember that none of these herbal remedies has undergone the extensive testing required for FDA approval. Make sure you talk to your doctor before using any of them to improve your psoriasis and never use them as a replacement for approved therapies.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Early research suggests that two FDA-approved drugs (<em>sunitinib</em> and <em>niclosamide</em>) and three remedies used in traditional Chinese medicine may improve psoriasis symptoms &mdash; consult your doctor before adding or changing medications.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>
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79 | content_learn_more_4421101157046199_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your STAT3 variants are somewhat associated with psoriasis. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of developing this condition — just one gene related to it! Changes in your lifestyle and diet/supplements may help you “re-balance” your immune system — keep scrolling to find out more!
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rsStatus = rs744166,STAT3,chr17,42362183,A,C,G,,21,0,Normal
