[Detection of soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) in patients with CHD, DM and SLE]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a role in the protein C anticoagulant pathway.
• Soluble EPCR (sEPCR) is a circulating form of EPCR with potential implications in various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical significance of plasma sEPCR levels.
• To compare sEPCR levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) against normal controls.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify sEPCR.
• Plasma samples were analyzed from patients with CHD (n=34), DM-II (n=42), SLE (n=63), and normal controls (NC, n=20).

Main Results:

• Plasma sEPCR levels were significantly higher in patients with DM compared to NC (P < 0.05).
• SLE patients, both with and without thrombosis, exhibited elevated sEPCR levels compared to NC (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively).
• No significant difference in sEPCR levels was observed between CHD and NC groups, or between SLE subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma sEPCR levels are associated with DM and SLE.
• Increased sEPCR may indicate inflammatory processes and endothelial cell damage in these conditions.
• sEPCR warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker in DM and SLE.