Endocan Levels Research Articles

Therapeutic Effects of Boric Acid in a Septic Arthritis Model Induced by Escherichia coli in Rats.

The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of boric acid (BA) in experimentally induced septic arthritis. A total of 30 rats, 6 rats in each group (5 groups), were used in the study. No treatment was applied to the rats in the control group. Only BA was administered intraperitoneally (IP) to the rats in the bor group. Escherichia coli was administered at a single dose of 25 μL, 1 × 1010cfu/rat from the right foot pad of the rats, via intra-articular route, to the mice in the arthritis, arthritis-bor, and arthritis-antb groups. Then, BA at a dose of 50mg/kg and cefazolin at a dose of 25mg/kg were administered to the rats in the arthritis-bor and arthritis-antb groups, respectively, for 7days via the IP route. At the end of the study, all animals were euthanized following the ethical rules. Blood and tissue samples were taken from the rats for biochemical and histopathological analyses. The levels of GSH, MDA, Endoglin, Endocan, and TNF-β markers were measured in the blood samples taken. A significant decrease was observed in MDA and Endoglin levels in the boric acid-administered group compared with the arthritis group, while a significant increase was observed at the GSH level. Histopathologically, it was determined that the reactive surrounding tissue response in the bor group was significantly reduced. As a result, a significant decrease in inflammation was found biochemically and histopathologically in the groups treated with BA.

Endocan Levels in Children with Polycystic Kidney Disease

Objective: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common renal disorder that is characterized by hypertension and renal failure. Recently, it has been emphasized that endocan which is an endothelial dysfunction biomarker, could increase in many renal diseases. High endocan levels have also been reported in hypertensive ADPKD adult patients with renal failure. However, studies are limited on children. In this study, we investigated the serum endocan levels in normotensive ADPKD children with normal renal function. Material and Methods: The study consisted of 20 ADPKD children without hypertension and renal failure as a patient group, and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched children as a control group. Serum endocan levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean age of patients was 9.9±4.12 years, and the mean age of the control group was 10.2±3.83 years. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, and BMI (p=0.751, p=0.813, p=0.781, respectively). The leukocyte (p=0.449), hemoglobin (p=0.337), platelets (p=0.134), serum uric acid (p=0.671) and serum creatinine (p=0.074) levels, eGFR (p=0.459) were not significantly differed between groups. The mean serum endocan level in the PKD group was 345.8±169.5 pg/ml, and in the control group was 448.61±258.2 pg/ml. Serum endocan levels did not change between groups (p=0.159). Conclusion: Unlike the adult ADPKD patients, this study suggested that serum endocan level was normal in children with ADPKD without hypertension and renal failure.

Endocan: A Key Player of Cardiovascular Disease.

Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be an early change in atherosclerosis. Endocan, also known as endothelial cell specific molecule-1, is a soluble proteoglycan mainly secreted by endothelial cells. Inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α can up regulate the expression of endocan and then affect the expression of cell adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, which play an important role in promoting leukocyte migration and inflammatory response. Elevated plasma levels of endocan may reflect endothelial activation and dysfunction, and is considered to be a potential immuno-inflammatory marker that may be related to cardiovascular disease. In the case of hypertension, diabetes, angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction, the increase or decrease of serum endocan levels is of great significance. Here, we reviewed the current research on endocan, and emphasis its possible clinical value as a prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease. Endocan may be a useful biomarker for the prognosis of cardiovascular disease, but more research is needed on its mechanism of action.

Evaluation of subclinical cardiovascular disease by carotid intima media thickness, epicardial adipose tissue thickness, serum endocan, and nesfatin-1 levels in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Data on the presence and extent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are conflicting. In our study, we aimed to investigate the increased CVD risk in patients with PHPT by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, and serum levels of endocan and nesfatin-1. Patients with PHPT (n = 44) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 40) were enrolled in this study. Demographic data of the participants were questioned. Serum endocan and nesfatin-1 concentrations were assessed using commercially available ELISA kits. Noninvasive measurements of CIMT and EAT thickness were made with high-resolution ultrasonography and B-mode echocardiography. There was no statistically significant difference in serum endocan and nesfatin-1 levels and EAT thickness in the PHPT group compared to controls. CIMT was statistically significantly higher in the PHPT group compared to controls (p = 0.001). A negative correlation was found between PTH and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p = 0.001) but no significant relationship was found between other parameters. We found that CIMT is increased in patients with PHPT and consequently, CVD risk is high in these patients. More comprehensive studies are needed to identify other markers that predict increased CVD risk in patients with PHPT.

Investigation of endocan level in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients’ serum, and its relationship with disease activity

Investigation of endocan level in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients’ serum, and its relationship with disease activity

Serum Endocan Level and Its Correlation with Clinicopathologic Features in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Serum Endocan Level and Its Correlation with Clinicopathologic Features in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis improves sepsis-induced acute lung injury by alleviating inflammatory response and down-regulating endocan expression in rats

To explore the favourable functions of polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis (PSP) on sepsis-originated acute lung injury, together with the corresponding mechanisms. 60 male SD rats were randomly separated into sham, sepsis, and sepsis+PSP group with 20 rats in each group. Sepsis rat model was constructed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mortality and sepsis-related symptoms were used to judge the model success. CLP successfully established the sepsis-caused acute lung injury rat model. In sepsis rats, systemic inflammation and pulmonary inflammation, as well as endocan protein level were increased. PSP treatment improved sepsis-induced acute lung injury and systemic inflammation, and reduced the endocan protein level. Lung injury biomarkers were positively correlated with serum pro-inflammatory factors/serum endocan protein, while serum pro-inflammatory factors were positively associated with serum endocan level. PSP ameliorates acute lung injury via relieving inflammatory response and down-regulating endocan expression in sepsis rat.

Blood and aqueous humor phoenixin, endocan and spexin in patients with diabetes mellitus and cataract with and without diabetic retinopathy

Peptide phoenixin (PNX), endocan (EDC), and spexin (SPX) are associated with diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of PNX, EDC and SPX in the blood and aqueous humor (AH) of patient with type 2 diabetes with and without DRP and cataract. 30 type 2 diabetes patients with cataract (DM + C), 30 DRP patient with cataract (DRP + C), 30 non-diabetic patient with only cataract and 30 control participants were enrolled into this study. PNX, EDC, and SPX were measured in blood and AH by ELISA. In patients with DRP + C, the levels of PNX and EDC were significantly higher in both AH and blood samples compared with the group of patients without DRP + C (<0.05). Also, in patients with DM + C, the levels of PNX and EDC were higher in both AH and blood samples compared with the group of patients without DM + C. However, in patients with DRP + C, the levels of SPX were significantly lower in both AH and blood samples compared with the group of patients without DRP + C (<0.05). Also, in patients with DM + C, the levels of SPX were also lower in both AH and blood samples compared with the group of patients without DM + C. These findings suggest that increased PNX, EDC, and decreased SPX amounts in blood and AH of DM + C and DRP + C groups when compared with control and cataract groups show that they might have a role in the pathophysiology of DM + C, especially in the DRP + C.

Association between endothelial dysfunction at birth and pediatric obesity

Obesity in pregnancy is associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity in offspring. Animal studies demonstrate endothelial dysfunction in offspring of obese mothers. Endocan is a biomarker for endothelial dysfunction. Our group previously found a positive association between maternal obesity and neonatal endocan levels at birth. Our objective is to assess whether endocan levels at birth are associated with pediatric obesity.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Endocan Levels in Patients with Gilbert Syndrome and Moderate Hyperbilirubinemia.

In this study, we aim to evaluate the presence of endothelial dysfunction in Gilbert syndrome patients with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and endocan levels. The study included 60 patients who diagnosed with Gilbert syndrome and 60 healthy controls who did not have any known diseases. Human endocan levels were measured using a sandwich ELISA method. The endocan and LVMI levels were lower in the Gilbert syndrome group than in the healthy controls. In the Gilbert syndrome group, total bilirubin level was negatively correlated with LVMI (r = -0246; P = .007) and endocan levels (r = -.270; P = .046). In the Gilbert syndrome group, increasing age (β ± SE = 20.78 ± 7.47; P = .006), was a positive independent predictor of LVMI, and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β ± SE = -.27 ± .09; P = .007), and total bilirubin levels (β ± SE = -6.09 ± 3.02; P = .046) were found to be a negative independent predictor. These results support that endothelial dysfunction is decreased in Gilbert Syndrome patients with mild hyperbilirubinemia compared with the healthy control group.

Endocan: A Novel Marker for Colchicine Resistance in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients?

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients had 5–10% colchicine resistance. Although FMF attacks are characterized by acute phase elevation, there are no biomarkers that can show colchicine resistance yet. The serum endocan levels may elevate in inflammatory and auto-inflammatory diseases.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate serum endocan levels in FMF patients according to whether attack and colchicine resistance or not and also compare them with classical acute phase reactants.Methods: In this single-center and cross-sectional study, a total of 111 FMF patients and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled. All patients' basic demographic and clinical data were recorded and blood samples were collected.Results: A total of 46 (41.4%) FMF patients had colchicine resistance. In comparison to the FMF patients according to colchicine response, colchicine resistance patients had a significantly higher median (IQR) endocan levels than colchicine responsive patients [36.98 ng/ml (97.41) vs. 13.57 ng/ml (27.87), p = 0.007], but there were no differences between in terms of median ESR and CRP levels. Inversely, serum endocan levels were similar during an attack and attack-free period in FMF patients, although ESR and CRP levels were significantly different. Interestingly, the highest serum endocan levels were in the control group.Conclusion: In conclusion, serum endocan levels were higher in colchicine resistance than colchicine responsive patients, but attack state had no effect on serum endocan levels in our study. Unlike ESR and CRP, serum endocan may be a novel biomarker for detection of colchicine resistance and distinguish the FMF attacks.

Circulating microRNA 9-3p and serum endocan as potential biomarkers for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDThe high mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt is due mainly to the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and late diagnosis of the carcinoma. MicroRNAs (miRNA), which regulate tumor proliferation and metastasis in HCC, may serve as a useful diagnostic approach for the early detection of HCC, thus decreasing its mortality. Meanwhile, endocan is a protein with angiogenic and inflammatory properties that are associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes. AIMTo analyze the levels of miRNA 9-3p and endocan in HCV-infected HCC patients and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters.METHODSWe compared levels of endocan and circulating miRNA 9-3p from 35 HCV-related HCC patients to 33 patients with HCV-induced chronic liver disease and 32 age and gender matched healthy controls recruited from inpatient and outpatient clinics of the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt in the period from January to March 2021 in a case-control study. Serum samples from all groups were analyzed for HCV. Endocan was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the expression levels of circulating miRNA 9-3p were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.RESULTSThe levels of circulating miRNA 9-3p were significantly lower in the HCC group compared to the chronic liver disease (P < 0.001) and control (P < 0.001) groups, while levels in the chronic liver disease were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The levels of serum endocan were significantly higher in the HCC group compared to the chronic liver disease (P < 0.001) and control (P < 0.001) groups. Moreover miRNA 9-3p and endocan performed better than α-fetoprotein in discriminating HCC patients from cirrhosis and healthy patients. The levels of miRNA 9-3p were significantly inversely correlated to vascular invasion (P = 0.002), stage of advancement of Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer (P < 0.001) and the metastatic site (P < 0.001) of the HCC group.CONCLUSIONCirculating miRNA 9-3p and endocan can be used as novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCV-related HCC.

Arterial Stiffness, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Endocan, and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Type I Motif 9 Levels and Their Relationship With Disease Activity in Patients With Acromegaly With and Without Cardiovascular Risk Factors

ObjectiveCardiovascular complications such as cardiomyopathy and endothelial dysfunction, which are frequently seen in patients with acromegaly, are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness, endocan level, and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif 9 level and their relationship with disease activity in patients with acromegaly with and without cardiovascular risk factors. MethodsA total of 60 patients with acromegaly—25 with active disease, 26 with well-controlled disease, and 9 with newly diagnosed disease—and 60 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. All the subjects’ height, weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), C-reactive protein , lipid, endocan, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif 9 levels, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness were measured. ResultsThe SBP, DBP, FPG level, HbA1C level, and PWV of the acromegaly group were higher than those of the control group. In patients with acromegaly with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, the PWV was higher than that in the control group, and in patients with acromegaly without CVD risk factors, the PWV was similar to that in the control group. In a correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between PWV and age, BMI, SBP, DBP, FPG level, and HbA1C level in the acromegaly group. ConclusionIn our study, we found that arterial stiffness increased in patients with acromegaly with CVD risk factors and that increased arterial stiffness was associated with hemodynamic (SBP and DBP) and metabolic (BMI, FPG level, and HbA1C level) parameters.

Role of endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (endocan) and cardiac imaging in early detection of cardiac involvement in psoriatic patients with or without arthritis

Aim of the workMeasuring serum endocan level to determine its potential role in detecting subclinical cardiovascular involvement in psoriatic patients with or without arthritis. Patients and methodsThis work included 14 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, 14 psoriasis only (PsO) patients, and 14 age and sex matched controls. The psoriasis area severity index was evaluated. Serum endocan level was measured, subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed using brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), and echocardiography: standard and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was performed. ResultsThe mean age of PsA patients was 38.3 ± 9.9 years and for PsO was 37.9 ± 8 years. They were 3 males and 11 females in both groups with a comparable psoriasis duration (11 ± 4.9 vs 8 ± 6.3 years; p = 0.17). PsA patients had significantly increased endocan level (618 ± 227.8 ng/L) compared to those with PsO or controls (359 ± 185.7 and 130.6 ± 38.2 ng/L respectively; p < 0.001). 4 (28.6%) PsA patients, 1 (7.1%) PsO patient and none of the controls had FMD abnormality. TDI revealed early diastolic mitral annular motion velocity (E') abnormality in 5 (35.7%) PsA patients. In PsA patients, endocan level was significantly elevated in patients with FMD or E' abnormality compared to those without (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively). Serum endocan significantly negatively correlated with FMD and E' in psoriatic patients. Serum endocan significantly detected FMD and E' abnormalities in psoriatic patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). ConclusionSubclinical cardiovascular involvement was evident among psoriatic patients, particularly those with arthritis. Serum endocan is a promising endothelial biomarker for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis and preclinical cardiac dysfunction in psoriatic patients.

Can Serum Endocan Levels be Used as an Early Prognostic Marker for Endothelial Dysfunction in COVID-19?

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether degree of pneumonia and COVID-19 prognosis are associated with serum endocan levels at the early stage, when vascular damage has started. Patients between the ages of 18–85 years who were hospitalized and followed up with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. A total of 80 patients were divided into 2 groups as mild/moderate pneumonia and severe pneumonia. Serum endocan levels were measured on the 8th day from the onset of symptoms in all patients. Of the 80 patients included in the study, 56.3% were female and 43.8% were male. There was no significant relationship between serum endocan levels and degree of pneumonia (P = .220) and prognosis of the disease (P = .761). The correlation analysis indicated a weak positive correlation between serum endocan levels and lactate level in venous blood gas (r = .270; P = .037). During the 28-day follow-up, the mortality rate was 3.75%. It was determined that the serum endocan levels was not associated with the degree of pneumonia and was not an early prognostic marker for COVID-19.

Biomarkers Associated with Failure of Liberation from Oxygen Therapy in Severe COVID-19: A Pilot Study.

This study aimed to investigate whether clinical and laboratory biomarkers can identify patients with COVID-19 who are less likely to be liberated from oxygen therapy. This was a retrospective study comparing 18 patients in the weaning failure group with 38 patients in the weaning success group. Weaning failure was defined as death or discharge with an oxygen device before day 28 after hospital admission or requiring oxygen support as of day 28. The median quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score was significantly higher and the median SpO2/FiO2 was significantly lower in the weaning failure group. The laboratory biomarkers, procalcitonin (PCT) and D-dimer, were significantly higher in the weaning failure group, as were the biomarkers of endothelial injury, such as angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and Ang-2/Ang-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Patients’ qSOFA scores, SpO2/FiO2, and PCT, D-dimer, Ang-2, Ang-2/Ang-1, endocan (4-day and 7-day increases), and TNF-α levels predicted weaning failure; 7-day endocan levels were the best predictor of weaning failure with an AUC of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.67–0.94). We identified clinical and laboratory parameters, including plasma biomarkers of endothelial injury, that may be considered as biomarkers for predicting failure of liberation from oxygen therapy in patients with severe COVID-19.

Assessment of cardiovascular dysfunction in Egyptian women with diminished ovarian reserve: A single-center study

BackgroundMenopause is widely regarded as associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. One of the hormones which play a crucial role in preserving the ovarian reserve, is Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). This study investigates any relation between AMH and markers of CVD risk such as total cholesterol (TC) triglyceride (TG), low & high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and endocan in Egyptian women with low ovarian reserve and to determine their cutoff values as predictors of low AMH. Methods and resultsNinety women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and ninety age-matched women who had normal ovarian reserve (NOR) were included in the study. AMH level and Markers of CVD risk such as total cholesterol (TC) triglyceride (TG), low & high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were estimated. Endocan gene expression (mRNA) was assessed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR). Among the low AMH level group, there were negative correlations between AMH level and treatment duration (p = 0.029) and endocan level (p = 0.01). Contrarily, the AMH level positively correlates with the HDL level (p < 0.001). TG[Cutoff value ≥127.5 mg/dL, p = 0.01], LDL [Cutoff value ≥112.5 mg/dL, p = 0.009], HDL [Cutoff value ≤49.5 mg/dL, p = 0.021], TC/HDL ratio [Cutoff value ≥3.85,p = 0.001], LDL/HDL ratio[Cutoff value ≥2.35, p = 0.007] were found to be predictors of low AMH levels. ConclusionsLow and very low AMH levels in young Egyptian women with DOR may be linked to CVD risk markers.

Effect of Intravenous IgM-Enriched Immunoglobulins on Presepsin and Other Sepsis Biomarkers.

Patients in septic shock with low IgG and IgM serum concentrations have higher mortality rates compared to those with normal immunoglobulin levels and, therefore, there is a rational explanation to administer intravenous IgM-enriched immunoglobulins to septic patients in ICU. Aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous IgM-enriched immunoglobulins in decreasing several sepsis biomarker concentrations. 26 sepsis patients were enrolled in this observational cohort study and Nitric Oxide, Endocan, Pentraxin and presepsin serum levels were measured during their first 3 days of ICU stay. The use of intravenous IgM-enriched immunoglobulins did not influence the temporal evolution of SOFA, Nitric Oxide, Endocan, Pentraxin and Presepsin in the first 3 days of ICU stay in a statistically significant manner, even if Presepsin decreased of 25% from day 1 to day 2 in the Pentaglobin group. It seems possible that Pentaglobin infusion reduces the Presepsin level in a more effective way if it were administered to a younger population (p = 0.012). In conclusion, age modifies the response of Presepsin to Pentaglobin and is a critical variable when investigating the effect of intravenous IgM-enriched immunoglobulins on sepsis.

The Association Between Serum Endocan Level and Short-Term Prognosis of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

This cohort study was designed to assess the association between serum endocan levels and the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke. A total of 227 patients were recruited consecutively. Study outcome data on death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) were collected at 3months after stroke onset. After 3months of follow-up, death and disability occurred in 48 and 85 patients, respectively, while the primary (death) and secondary (death or disability) outcome incident rate was 21.15% and 37.44%, respectively. The multivariable adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval, 95% CIs) of the highest endocan quartile for death or major disability was 1.21 (1.10, 4.13) compared with the lowest quartile. After adjusting for confounding factors, the increase in the risk of death was not significant. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that endocan predicted primary and secondary outcomes with C-statistical values (95% CIs) of 0.61 (0.55-0.67, P = .001) and 0.68 (0.59-0.76, P < .001), respectively. Elevated endocan levels were independently related to increased risk of poor outcome at 3 months after ischemic stroke onset. Endocan is a potential prognostic factor for ischemic stroke.

Endocan serum levels in patients with low- and high-grade meningiomas: does this biomarker have an indicative role?

BackgroundMeningiomas are one of the most common tumors of the brain and central nervous system. The key role of endocan in predicting tumor growth and prognosis has been shown for several types of cancers; however, this role in meningiomas has not been evaluated. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between endocan serum levels with low- and high-grade meningiomas.ResultsThe serum level of endocan in the group with meningiomas was 283.34 (242.09-358.70) pg/ml and in the control group was 250.29 (207.56-329.71) pg/ml respectively (P = 0.172). Afterwards, patients were divided into three different groups (grades I, II, and III) and compared to the control. The level of endocan in the group with grade I of meningioma showed no significant difference compared to control individuals (P = 0.86). When patients with grade II and grade III compared with the control group, endocan serum levels were statistically significant (P = 0.002, P < 0.001 respectively). Moreover, our findings showed that the different grades of meningiomas were statistically significant compared to each other (P < 0.001) regarding endocan serum levels, meaning that the higher the grade, the higher the endocan serum levels.ConclusionOur findings revealed that higher grades of meningioma had higher endocan serum levels, however, the role of endocan in pathogenesis or progression of this type of tumor requiring further exclusively assessment.