Possible role of endothelin-1 in lupus vasculitis

الملخص EN

Objective: To assess plasma endothelin-1 (EN-1) level in SLE and to study its role in lupus vasculitis and its association to disease activity in an attempt to throw light on possible new strategies in the management of this disease.

Methodology: We conducted our study on 20 SLE patients in addition to 10 apparently healthy subjects who served as a control group.

The plasma level of endothelin-1 was measured with EIA test (enzyme immunoeteric assay).

Results: There was a highly significant increased level of plasma EN-1 in patients as compared to the controls.

EN-1 correlated positively with the presence of vasculitis, renal affection and Raynaud’s phenomenon while there was no correlation with the disease activity.