Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

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Psoriasis affects more than 125 million people worldwide, including Art Garfunkel, John Updike and Kim Kardashian. The autoimmune skin condition is characterized by white, scaly lesions on the skin. There is no cure, but some treatments are available.

Now researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute are seeking people with mild to moderate psoriasis for a clinical trial to test a vitamin B3 dietary supplement. They want to determine if the supplement improves immune system function in their blood and skin.

Psoriasis causes inflammation. In addition to being itchy and embarrassing, psoriasis can lead to more serious conditions.

“As the disease gets more advanced, it can affect the joints, so you can get arthritis,” said Dr. Michael Sack, the study’s principal investigator. “The chronic inflammation can have systemic effects.”

“We’re trying to see in the mild to moderate disease range whether we can prevent [these effects on the entire body],” he said.

Several safe visits

In the randomized, double-blind study, participants will take pills — either the supplement or a placebo — twice a day for a month. The vitamin B derivative known as nicotinamide riboside is sold under the brand name Tru Niagen.

The study requires two or three visits to the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where researchers will take blood and urine samples. Skin biopsies are optional. Each visit will take about two or three hours, Sack said.

In terms of the safety of the visits, according to an NIH spokesperson, NIH takes the health and safety of its staff and patients extremely seriously. Its Clinical Center maintains a low occupancy, has timed visits, and tests employees and visitors.

Participants must be adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Compensation is available.

To learn more about this or other NIH studies, or to volunteer, email PRPL@cc.nih.gov or call 1-866-444-1132.