| Abstract [eng] |
Reason: It is thought, that 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). Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of endothelin - 1 (ET-1), vascular cell adhesion molecules - 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecules - 1 (ICAM-1) in blood serum and to influence the pathogenesis of the disease in patients with systemic sclerosis. Objectives: To determine the diagnostic value of endothelin - 1, vascular cell adhesion molecules - 1 (VCAM-1) and extracellular adhesion molecules - 1 (ICAM-1) in the case of systemic sclerosis and to evaluate the correlation with inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ENA), evaluating the course of the inflammatory process. Methods: 30 patients with systemic sclerosis from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos were included in the study. Venous blood serum samples were tested for autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) by immunoblotting method (Euroimmun, Germany); serum levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and ET-1 were assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Results: The study determined the relationship between ET-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations (r = 0.687; p <0.001). No interactions between ET-1 and ICAM-1 were detected (r = 0.13; p = 0.945). No significant differences in the concentrations of ET-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected in the study, depending on the duration of the disease. Differences between patient groups, depending on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) status and ET-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 concentrations, have not been determined. There was a significant correlation between ET-1 and CRB levels (r = 0.378; p = 0.035); no correlation was found between ET-1 and ENG (r = 0.348; p = 0.064). The relationship between VCAM-1 concentration and inflammation markers (ESR, CRP, ENA) has not been established. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant relationship between serum ET-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations (r = 0.687; p <0.001). The results of this study indicated that ET-1 and VCAM-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis and may be assessed together as markers of inflammation and the identification of patients at high risk for disease progression. The study showed a statistically significant relationship between serum CRB and ET-1 concentrations (r = 0.378; p = 0.035). These markers can be used as signs of inflammatory activity. The correlation between ICAM-1 concentration and CENP-B autoantibodies (p = 0.002) allows to differentiate limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis from diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. There is no relationship between VCAM-1 concentration and inflammation markers (ESR, CRP, ENA). Keywords: endothelin – 1 (ET-1), intercellular adhesion molecule – 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule – 1 (VCAM-1), systemic sclerosis. |
