Abstract
Abstract Objectives Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis. In addition to modulating vascular tone and extracellular matrix turnover, ET-1 up-regulates cell surface adhesion molecules–intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the detection of ET-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. Methods A total of 30 patients with systemic sclerosis from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics were included in the study. Serum levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and ET-1 were assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Results ET-1 concentration was associated with VCAM-1 concentration (r=0.687; p<0.001). No associations between ET-1 and ICAM-1 concentrations were detected. Depending on the duration of the disease no significant differences in the concentrations of ET-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that ET-1 and VCAM-1 may be assessed together as markers of inflammation and the identification of patients at high risk for disease progression.
Highlights
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, autoimmune, connective tissue disease, which affects the skin and internal organs
In addition to modulating vascular tone and extracellular matrix turnover, ET-1 upregulates cell surface adhesion molecules–intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the detection of ET-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis
Research involving human subjects complied with all relevant national regulations, institutional policies and is in accordance with the tenets of the Helsinki Declaration, and was approved by the Vilnius University Bioethics Committee (Decision No.: 158200-15-800-310)
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, autoimmune, connective tissue disease, which affects the skin and internal organs. Despite the progress made over the last decade in SSc diagnosis and treatment, disability and mortality from SSc remain the highest among all connective tissue diseases. SSc is a rare disease, it affects less than one per cent population. There is no clear etiology of SSc. The disease can be provoked by both genetic predisposition and environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, chemicals, viral infections), as well as the interaction of these components. The incidence of SSc disease is 3–5 times higher among women. SSc is a disease of young people, usually diagnosed between 30 and 50 years old
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