Estimation of Some Immunological Markers of Iraqi Patients in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Lupus Nephritis

Abstract

Background: The chronic autoimmune inflammatory, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a diseasethat may be caused by autoantibody production, complement activation, and immune complex deposition.Several organs can be affected by this disease; lupus nephritis which considers the most complication thatmay be occurred. The aim of our study is to establishif that serum sVCAM-1 and IL-18 can be applied asbiomarker for diagnosis of LN and CKD in patients with SLE.Method: One hundred twenty patients from both sexes were enrolled in this study. The subjects have beendivided into three groups, group one and group two represent the patient groups that include, (40) patientsSLE with LN (8 male-32 female) with age range (19-44) years for the group one, (40) patients SLE withoutLN with age range (16-45), for the group two. The third group includes (40) healthy subjects with age range(19-62) years, which represent the control group. VCAM-1 and IL-18, were estimated by ELISA method.Results: The results referred to present high level of VCAM-1 and IL-18 in patients group that represent acomplication case of SLE in comparison with patients group without complication ‘’ without LN’’. At thesame time, the results showed significance increasing of VCAM-1 and IL-18 in both patients groups ratherthan control group. Also, this study revealed a significant correlation (p<0.01) between VCAM-1 and IL-18,but no correlation with other relevant factors.Conclusion: The results revealed the elevation of both sVCAM-1 and IL-18 levels in patients with SLE.Furthermore, this study indicates the association between the mentioned biochemical factors and suggestsbeing as a useful indicators for LN in patients with SLE.