Serum Endocan in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Implication for Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Risk

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem involvement.
• Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of atherosclerosis and may be implicated in SLE pathogenesis.
• Endocan, a novel endothelial dysfunction marker, is potentially involved in SLE's inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum endocan levels in SLE patients.
• To evaluate the association between serum endocan and disease activity, endothelial dysfunction, and subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 60 SLE patients and 60 healthy controls was studied.
• Disease activity was assessed using the SLEDAI score and functional status via the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).
• Serum endocan levels, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured to assess subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial function.

Main Results:

• SLE patients exhibited significantly higher serum endocan levels compared to controls.
• Patients with SLE showed increased cIMT and impaired FMD, indicative of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
• Serum endocan levels positively correlated with disease duration, triglycerides, and cIMT, and negatively with FMD.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum endocan levels in SLE patients are linked to subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
• Endocan may serve as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular complications in SLE patients.