Pilot Study Characterizing Adipose Tissue Leukocytes by Flow Cytometry/Microscopy in Lean, Obese and Psoriatic Subjects

Inclusion Criteria:

• Psoriatic lean cohort (BMI between 18-24.9 Kg/m2): moderate to severe plaque-type, at least 5% of BSA
• Psoriatic obese cohort (BMI between 30-40 Kg/m2): moderate to severe plaque-type, at least 5% of BSA
• Lean/non-psoriatic cohort: BMI between 18-24.9 Kg/m2
• Overweight/obese non-psoriatic cohort: BMI between 30-40 Kg/m2
• Subjects must be 18-65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having received any systemic treatment for psoriasis within the last 30 days
• history of bleeding disorder
• weight loss of 10 pounds in the last four weeks
• current smoker
• Known diagnosis of any unrelated autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease ( i.e. lupus, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Currently taking NSAIDS, aspirin, (if > once a week, stopped <30 days ago). Aspirin 81mg may be permitted if the Framingham Risk Score is < 10
• Having received any anti-inflammatory medication within the last 30 days
• Current use of any anti-coagulants
• LFTs > 2 x upper normal limits
• HIV infection
• Pregnant
• Less than 6 weeks post partum
• history of cardiovascular disease (MI, CHF, CVA)
• Any cancer diagnosis within the last 5 years
• Symptoms of acute illness such as upper respiratory infection, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, or fever within 3 days of Visit 1
• Any medical, psychological or social condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the health or well-being of the participant during any study procedures or the integrity of the data
• ingestion of DHA or fish oil within last 90 days
• hypertension as defined as > 140 systolic and > 90 diastolic after 10 minutes of resting on 2 antihypertensives
• Use of statins within the last 30 days