The role of endothelial microparticles in Behçet's disease

Abstract

Objective Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are direct indicator of endothelial cell activation or apoptosis, and may also reflect endothelial inflammation, increased coagulation, and vascular tone. The aim of this study is to investigate whether EMPs would be able to evaluate systemic involvement and be a new indicator of disease activity in Behcet's disease (BD). Methods Thirty-nine consecutive BD patients (who fulfilled the modified International Study Group on BD in 1990 or International Criteria for BD in 2006) and 67 age and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled (Including 37 patients with hypertension and 30 healthy subjects). The plasma levels of EMPs were measured by flow cytometry utilizing specific labels for endothelial MPs (CD31+ and CD42b-). The measurement data of each group were expressed as ±s, and the comparison data betwen groups were analyzed by independent sample t test and analysis of variance, Spearman/Pearson correlation analysis, P<0.05 was statistically significant. Results The levels of circulating EMPs (CD31+ and CD42b-) were significantly elevated in the case group compared with the healthy control group and hypertension (F=6.845, P<0.05). Moreover, BD patients plasma EMPs were positively correlated with active BD (r=0.802, P<0.05). Vascular involvement in BD patients was higher than in patients without vascular EMPs, t=4.707, P<0.05. Gastrointestinal involvement in BD patients was more frequent than that in patients without Gastrointestinal involvement, t=2.673, P<0.05. Conclusion Levels of circulating EMPs are elevated in BD patients and correlated with disease activity in BD. Elevated EMPs may be a potential indicator to predict disease activity of BD. The plasma level of EMPs is increased, which indicats increased risk of vascular and digestive tract involvement in BD. Key words: Behcet syndrome; Endothelial microparticles; Endothelial dysfunctions; Hypertension; Disease activity