Endocan Levels In Patients Research Articles

Serum endocan levels in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Serum endocan levels in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Serum endocan and preoperative systemic inflammatory markers in patients with epilepsy

ObjectiveThe mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis are still a focus of experimental and clinical research. Inflammation and angiogenesis are the two main topics that have been an area of interest recently. The present study assessed serum levels of endocan, an inflammatory and angiogenesis-promoting molecule, and of preoperative inflammatory markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)) in adult patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. MethodsTwenty-one patients with epilepsy and 21 healthy controls were included. From patients, serum was collected twice: before and within a week after surgery. From controls, serum was collected once. Serum endocan was studied by ELISA and preoperative NLR and PLR were obtained from preoperative hemogram parameters. ResultsPreoperative serum endocan levels in patients were significantly higher than in controls. There was no difference between patients and controls regarding preoperative NLR and PLR. After surgery, serum endocan levels decreased in patients, with no further difference compared to controls. Serum endocan levels, NLR and PLR correlated positively, but not significantly, with epilepsy duration and seizure frequency. ConclusionsAngiogenesis and low-grade inflammation may play a role in the development and progression of epilepsy. We suggest that larger cohort of epilepsy patients with longer-term follow-up should be studied.

An evaluation of biomarkers indicating endothelial cell damage, inflammation and coagulation in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Abstract Objective Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is characterized by generalized vasculitis. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is unknown, but inflammation and endothelial dysfunction have been held responsible. Therefore, herein we investigated serum levels of biomarkers indicating endothelial cell damage, inflammation and coagulation in children with HSP. Materials and methods Twenty six patients with HSP and 26 healthy children were included in the study. Routine biochemical tests and laboratory parameters showing inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial cell damage were examined in all subjects. Results White blood cell (WBC) number, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil/lymphocyte rate (NLR), triglyceride, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and C3 were significantly higher in children with HSP than the controls. HDL and albumin levels were lower in the patients with HSP. Endocan levels were not significantly different between the HSP and control groups (p = 0.884). Serum endocan levels in patients with HSP were inversely correlated only with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (r = −0.485, p = 0.012). Conclusion Coagulation abnormalities and increased acute phase reactants were present in patients with HSP while no difference was determined in endocan levels.

The utility of maternal serum endocan level to predict preterm delivery within seven days in patients with threatened preterm labor

Objective The aim of the current study was to determine serum endocan levels in patients with threatened preterm labor and to assign whether endocan levels in patients with true preterm labor who give birth within 7 days differ from those of false preterm labor and uncomplicated pregnancy. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 58 patients diagnosed with threatened preterm labor and 31 healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age. Patients with threatened preterm labor were divided into two groups; preterm delivery (28) and term delivery (30) groups. Maternal serum endocan levels were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results The median serum endocan level (pg/mL) in patients with threatened preterm labor was significantly higher than that of women with uncomplicated pregnancies (725, IQR 619–823 versus 310, IQR 218–423; p < .001 Figure 1). Subgroup analysis performed among threatened preterm labor group revealed that median serum endocan level (pg/mL) in preterm delivery group was higher compared with the other two groups (preterm 823, IQR 718–905 versus term 637, IQR 590–729 p < .001 and preterm 823, IQR 718–905 versus control 310, IQR 218–423 p < .001). The threshold value of maternal serum endocan level for predicting delivery within 7 days after admission was calculated 655 pg/mL, (the area under curve was 0.934, 95% CI 0.88–0.98, p < .001) with 85.7% sensitivity and 78.7% specificity. The mean cervical length measurement was significantly higher in the control group (p < .001); there was no significant difference in cervical length between the term and preterm delivery groups. Maternal characteristics including age, BMI, gravidity, gestational age at blood sampling, CRP and Hb levels were not significantly different between groups (p > .05). Conclusions The maternal serum endocan level may be a useful marker to define high risk group for preterm delivery in patients with threatened preterm labor and similar cervical length measures.

Serum Endocan Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris as a Marker of Disease Severity

Serum Endocan Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris as a Marker of Disease Severity

Serum endocan levels in patients with stable COPD.

BackgroundEndothelial cell specific molecule-1, also called as endocan, is a dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, which is expressed by endothelial cells in alveolar walls of the lung and kidney. High endocan levels are found associated with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We hypothesize that endocan level is also high in COPD due to systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the expression of endocan in patients with stable COPD.Material and methodsThe study included patients with COPD and control subjects. COPD patients were classified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 criteria. Demographics, body mass index, smoking history, and comorbidities were recorded. Endocan levels of COPD patients and controls were compared.ResultsTotally, 88 subjects (47 stable COPD patients, 41 controls) were evaluated. Endocan levels were significantly higher in COPD patients than control group (860.1±259.8 vs 647.3±316.9 pg/mL, P=0.001). There was no relationship between GOLD COPD categories and endocan levels. Also endocan levels were similar between COPD patients with or without hypoxemia.ConclusionSerum endocan level was significantly higher in patients with stable COPD. Further studies should be performed to better understand the relationship between endocan and COPD.

The relationship of serum endocan levels and anti-TNF-alpha therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Endocan is a marker for vascular pathogenesis and important mediator of angiogenesis that strongly associates with inflammation and vascular diseases. Growing evidence suggest that inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) plays a role in its regulation and secretion, whereas TNF-alpha inhibitors may have the opposite influence. The aim of this research is to investigate the association between serum endocan and anti-TNF-alpha drug treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Serum endocan levels were analyzed in 42 patients with AS under anti-TNF-alpha usage. Control group consisted of 37 patients with AS who are not receiving anti-TNF drugs. Endocan is analyzed using ESM-1 ELISA kits. The blood glucose and lipid measurements of patients were also assessed. There was no significant change in serum endocan levels among groups. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C levels were higher in patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha; however, differences were not significant. There was no significant correlation between serum endocan levels and blood lipid measurements. Anti-TNF-alpha treatment does not affect serum endocan levels in patients with AS. This research has been first to evaluate the relationship between serum endocan and anti-TNF-alpha therapy in AS. Future studies are necessary to verify the exact role of anti-TNF-alpha therapy on serum endocan levels in patients with AS.

Serum Endocan Levels are Associated With Paraoxonase 1 Concentration in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Endocan is a soluble proteoglycan released by the vascular endothelium. The increase of its serum levels is associated with inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied the association of serum endocan with the lipid profile of 105 CKD patients with dyslipidemia, divided in two groups, non-dialyzed (CKD, N = 57) and hemodialysis (HD, N = 48) in comparison with 30 normal controls (NC). We also analyzed endocan in relation with the concentration of two serum HDL-linked members of the paraoxonase (PON) family, PON1 and PON3, which have been previously found to have antiatherogenic properties. The results showed that endocan levels were significantly higher in HD patients than in CKD patients (P < 0.001) and NC (P < 0.001). PON1 was significantly decreased only in HD patients compared to NC (P < 0.001), whereas PON3 was significantly increased in both patient groups (P < 0.001). Endocan levels were significantly and positively correlated with total cholesterol and LDL-C in CKD and additionally were negatively correlated with HDL-C in HD group. PON1 levels were significantly correlated with endocan in both groups, while no correlation was observed for PON3 in either group. Multiple regression analysis between endocan and the above lipid parameters in the total of patients revealed that endocan was independently associated only with PON1 (β = -0.513, P = 0.002). It is concluded that the increase of serum endocan levels in patients with CKD may be associated with the decrease of PON1 concentration, irrespective of lipid alterations produced by atherosclerosis development.

P873Serum endocan levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X

P873Serum endocan levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Serum endocan levels in patients with cardiac syndromeX.

Endocan is a recently introduced marker of endothelial dysfunction and is also associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. To date, the relationship between cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and endocan has not been studied. The objective of this study was to compare the serum endocan levels of patients with CSX with those of control subjects. In this study, 50patients were included in the CSX group and 28patients in the control group. Patients with pathological conditions that could potentially influence endothelial functions were excluded. Endocan serum concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean endocan level of the CSX group was significantly higher than that of the control group (3051.3± 1900.5 ng/l vs. 2088.1± 522.2 ng/l; p= 0.002). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking status. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, endocan levels greater than 2072ng/l had a 72% sensitivity and 54% specificity (p= 0.002) for accurately predicting a diagnosis of CSX. The results of this study suggest that patients with CSX have higher endocan levels. Therefore, endocan may be valuable in helping uncover the underlying pathogenesis of CSX.

OP-099 [AJC » Preventive cardiology] Serum Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis and Endocan Levels in Patients Who Underwent Diagnostic Exercise Electrocardiography Test

OP-099 [AJC » Preventive cardiology] Serum Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis and Endocan Levels in Patients Who Underwent Diagnostic Exercise Electrocardiography Test

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters, and Serum Endocan Levels in Patients with Lichen Planus

Background and Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors, haematological and biochemical parameters, and serum endocan concentrations in lichen planus (LP) patients. Methods: This study was conducted with 86 cases, including 43 LP patients and 43 healthy controls. Cardiovascular risk factors, haematological and biochemical parameters, and endocan levels were evaluated. Results: The serum endocan concentrations of LP patients were not significantly different from those of the healthy controls (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the serum endocan levels according to classification by cardiovascular risk factors and smoking history (p > 0.05). In the LP group, white blood cell count, platelet distribution width and monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were significantly higher when compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.05). The LP group had a lower mean platelet volume than the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Serum endocan levels did not change significantly in patients with LP, and there were significant differences in haematological and biochemical parameters.

Plasma endocan level and prognosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy

BackgroundEndocan, previously called endothelial cell–specific molecule-1, is a soluble proteoglycan that is secreted from vascular endothelial cells. Elevated plasma endocan levels were shown to be associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated the clinical relevance of plasma and urine endocan levels in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). MethodsSixty-four patients with IgAN and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Plasma and urine endocan levels were measured. Clinical parameters, pathologic grades, and renal outcomes were compared among subgroups with different plasma and urine endocan levels. ResultsBoth plasma and urine endocan levels were significantly higher in patients with IgAN than in controls. Elevated serum phosphorus and C-reactive protein were independent determinants for plasma endocan, and elevated C-reactive protein was also an independent determinant for urine endocan levels in multivariate analysis. Plasma endocan level was not significantly different across CKD stages, but patients with higher plasma endocan levels showed adverse renal outcome. Urine endocan levels were also elevated in patients with poor renal function. Cox proportional hazard models showed that high plasma endocan was an independent risk factor for CKD progression after adjusting for the well-known predictors of outcome in patients with IgAN. ConclusionThis study suggested that plasma endocan might be useful as a prognostic factor in patients with IgAN.

Plasma Endocan Levels in Patients With Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia.

Endocan is a soluble proteoglycan, secreted by human vascular endothelial cells. Endocan is a marker for vascular pathologies and an important mediator of angiogenesis, strongly associated with inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. The relationship between coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and endocan has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate this association. Fifty-four patients with isolated CAE without coronary stenosis and 30 controls with normal coronary angiogram were included in this study. Endocan plasma concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with isolated CAE had significantly higher levels of endocan compared to the controls (18.9 ± 7.3 vs 15.6 ± 3.6 ng/mL; P = .007). There was a significant correlation between endocan levels and severity of isolated CAE according to the Markis classification ( r = -.593, P < .001). Plasma endocan levels may reflect the presence and severity of isolated CAE, suggesting that endocan may be involved in pathogenesis of isolated CAE.

Serum endocan levels in women with restless legs syndrome.

BackgroundEndocan is a recently introduced marker of endothelial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to compare serum endocan levels in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and control subjects in order to elucidate whether RLS is associated with endothelial dysfunction.MethodsA total of 31 drug naïve female patients with RLS and 31 age- and BMI-matched women were included in the study. Patients with pathological or physiological conditions or with a history of medication use that could potentially influence endothelial functions were excluded, as well as those with alcohol or drug abuse history. The two groups were compared with routine blood tests and serum endocan levels.ResultsPatients with RLS had lower serum endocan levels than the controls (P=0.037). There was a negative bivariate correlation between RLS severity score and serum endocan levels (r=−0.406, P=0.023). While white blood cell count was significantly higher in RLS group, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, vitamin B12, transferrin saturation rate, and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower. Creatininemia and diastolic blood pressure were also marginally insignificantly lower in RLS group. Due to the presence of differences between two groups in these variables, a linear regression analysis was performed that showed a positive association between endocan and creatininemia (β=0.310, P=0.022), and a negative association between endocan and RLS (β=−0.502, P<0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study seem to suggest that patients with RLS may have better endothelial functions when compared with the general population and that these patients may be better protected against atherosclerosis.

Endocan, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Vascular Risk

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by interruptions of breathing during sleep caused by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms involved may include several, interrelated, but not completely defined mechanisms, for example, dyslipidemia, inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. In addition, animal models suggest that OSA can exert proatherogenic effects (eg, inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular smooth cell activation, adhesion molecule expression, monocyte/lymphocyte activation, increased lipid loading of macrophages, lipid peroxidation, and endothelial dysfunction). Platelets may also be activated, and this effect correlated with some indicators of breathing function during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for OSA. Apart from behavioral treatment (eg, weight loss and increased physical activity), CPAP is the most common treatment for moderate to severe OSA. Treating OSA with CPAP improves symptoms and quality of life and may decrease cardiovascular morbidity. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy could improve cardiovascular outcomes by reducing oxidative stress and preventing endothelial damage. In this issue of Angiology, Altintas et al measured serum endocan levels in patients with OSA and healthy controls and after 3 months of CPAP treatment in those with OSA. Endocan levels were significantly higher in the patients with OSA. After 3 months of CPAP treatment, endocan levels decreased significantly. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, endocan was an independent and significant indicator of OSA and its severity. Inflammatory markers and responses from vascular endothelial cells play a role in the initiation and progression of atheroma and plaque instability. Endothelial dysfunction is considered as the initial lesion in the development of atherosclerosis. Endocan has been shown to increase the production of proinflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells, enhance microvascular permeability, and modulate leukocyte migration. Endocan can be detected in the blood and is a marker of angiogenesis and endothelial cell activation in response to proangiogenic signals. Endocan participates in molecular interactions with several mediators that are essential for the regulation of biological processes such as cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and neovascularization. Endocan may contribute to organ-specific inflammation and endothelium-dependent pathological disorders and may represent a novel endothelial cell dysfunction marker. In a recent study, we reported that serum endocan levels were significantly higher in a hypertension (HT) group compared to the controls. This may be relevant since there is an association between OSA and HT. Serum endocan levels positively correlated with carotid intima–media thickness and highsensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Wang et al concluded that serum endocan levels were independently correlated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with HT. Kose et al reported a significant increase in serum endocan levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with controls, but the CAD burden in patients with ACS was not correlated with serum endocan levels. Kose et al also reported that endocan levels were significantly higher in diabetic patients with ACS than in nondiabetic patients with ACS. This finding may reflect greater severity of vessel involvement in diabetic patients. Endothelial dysfunction or activation may significantly contribute to the increased risk of CVD in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Yilmaz et al concluded that endocan levels are inversely correlated with renal function and that they influenced all-cause mortality and CVD events in a CKD population independent of other risk factors. As for OSA, there is also evidence of endothelial dysfunction in Behcet disease. These patients have significantly higher serum levels of endocan, especially if systemic involvement is present. Patients with psoriasis also had significantly higher serum levels of endocan, and these levels correlated with CVD risk and disease activity. Obstructive sleep apnea may be more common in patients with psoriasis; in turn, psoriasis may be associated with increased risk of CVD. Finally, medication may affect endocan levels. For example, endocan levels are significantly decreased after antihypertensive therapy with valsartan and amlodipine. It follows that medication should be considered if endocan is assessed. In conclusion, since endocan release probably reflects vascular damage and risk factors, its measurement may provide

Arterial Stiffness Parameters Should be Evaluated With Different Types of Psoriasis

We read with interest the letter of Sen and coworkers regarding our article entitled ‘‘Aortic Arterial Stiffness is a Moderate Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris.’’ Sen et al stated that in daily practice, a significant number of patients with psoriasis receive various topical or systemic treatments. Therefore, our study does not exactly represent the real-world situation. Medication and chronic diseases may influence arterial stiffness parameters. This is why we excluded these factors and focussed on 1 type of psoriasis. In other words, we tried to study a more homogeneous population so as to produce credible results. Arterial stiffness can be affected by vascular risk factors (eg, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypercholesterolemia, and hypothyroidism) and medications (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, b-blockers, and statins). We excluded these factors in our study. Regarding conditions that could influence arterial stiffness, we ensured that the patient and control groups are as similar as possible. Multicenter trials with very large number of patients are needed so as to allow matching between study groups and effective multivariate analysis. Such studies are not easily set up or funded. Moreover, findings like ours may help plan what is needed to be measured in such ‘‘larger’’ studies. Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, a reduced number of endothelial progenitor cells and abnormal endocan levels in patients with psoriasis suggest endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk. Arterial stiffness has received attention due to its role as an independent prognostic factor for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and systemic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. Clearly, there is a need to investigate the links between arterial stiffness and vascular risk in several conditions. We agree that our study does not exactly represent the realworld situation but you must start somewhere!

Serum levels of endothelium-derived endocan are increased inpatients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia

Endocan is a soluble proteoglycan expressed only by vascular endotheliumand is also found circulating in the bloodstream. Inflammatory cytokines aswell as proangiogenic growth factors increase its expression, and increasedserum levels are found in immunocompetent patients with sepsis. We investigatedserum endocan levels in patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML)and AML patients during chemotherapy-induced bone marrow failure. We observedincreased levels in 40 AML patients compared with healthy controls, whichwas also confirmed in a second cohort. The serum levels decreased after intensivechemotherapy and subsequent severe chemotherapy-induced cytopenia, and increasedlevels were thereafter observed during bone marrow regeneration. However,even for these severely immunocompromized patients, serum endocan levels increasedduring complicating bacterial infections before a decrease was seen duringantibiotic therapy. To conclude, serum endocan is a disease marker in AML,but serum levels are also affected by complicating infections and bone marrowregeneration.