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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
587
Cardiovascular Risk and Endothelial Dysfunction in Primary Sjogren Syndrome Is Related to the Disease Activity
Anna Łuczak1, Rafał Małecki2, Michał Kulus3
1Department of Rheumatology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland.
Nutrients
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Endothelial dysfunction occurs in primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) patients, linked to disease activity. Impaired endothelial function in pSS suggests inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early sign of cardiovascular disease.
- The role of ED in pSS pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of ED in pSS patients.
- To determine the association between ED and pSS disease characteristics and activity.
Main Methods:
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed in 46 pSS patients and 30 controls.
- Plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) pathway metabolites (ADMA, L-arginine, SDMA, cGMP) were measured.
- Markers of endothelial inflammation (PAI-1, sE-selectin) and angiogenesis (angiostatin, VEGF) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- pSS patients exhibited significantly lower FMD compared to controls (p=0.043).
- Elevated plasma ADMA, L-arginine, and angiostatin levels were observed in pSS patients.
- FMD was positively correlated with Ro/SS-A antibodies and pulmonary involvement, and inversely with ADMA. ADMA correlated with disease activity scores (ESSDAI, SCORE).
Conclusions:
- Endothelial function is impaired in patients with pSS.
- ED in pSS is associated with disease activity and inflammatory markers.
- These findings highlight the role of inflammation in accelerated atherosclerosis in pSS.
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