Endothelial functions are more severely impaired during active disease period in patients with Behcet’s disease

Association between Serum α-Klotho Levels and Behçet Disease

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) has a well-known role in promoting vascular inflammation in Behçet disease (BD). α-klotho is involved in regulation of endothelial function, and its reduction has been reported to be associated with ED.

OBJECTIVE

To assess serum α-klotho in patients with BD, compared with healthy control individuals.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 55 patients with BD and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled, and their serum levels of α-klotho were measured.

RESULTS

Common clinical symptoms in patients with BD were oral aphthous ulcers, uveitis, and genital ulcers. Median (IQR) serum α-klotho levels in the BD and control groups were 0.30 (0.20-0.70) and 1.00 (0.70-2.52) ng/mL, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = .005). No significant correlation was observed between serum α-klotho and age (r = 0.194; P = .14). Serum α-klotho levels in patients with uveitis were significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

α-klotho may have a role in the pathogenesis of ED and is a potential biomarker for uveitis in BD.

Neutrophil, NETs and Behçet's disease: A review

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, articular, neurological, vascular and sight-threatening ocular inflammation. BD is thought to share both autoimmune and autoinflammatory disease features. BD is triggered by environmental factors such as infectious agents in genetically predisposed subjects. Neutrophils seem to play an instrumental role in BD and recent works regarding the role of neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) provides new insight in the pathophysiology of BD and the mechanisms involved in immune thrombosis. This review provides a recent overview on the role of neutrophils and NETs in the pathogenesis of BD.

Risk for Behçet's disease gauged via high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a nationwide population-based study in Korea

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Low levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with Crohn’s disease, another chronic inflammatory disease. However, the effects of low HDL-C levels on BD are unclear. We investigated the effects of HDL-C levels, and variability therein, on the risk for BD. We used the Korean National Health Insurance System database to identify 5,587,754 adults without a history of BD who underwent ≥ 3 medical examinations between 2010 and 2013. Mean HDL-C levels at each visit were used to calculate variability independent of the mean (VIM) and the coefficient of variation (CV). There were 676 new cases of BD (0.012%). The risk for BD was increased in participants with highly variable and low mean HDL-C levels. In a multivariate-adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for BD incidence were 1.335 (1.058–1.684) in a high mean/high VIM group, 1.527 (1.211–1.925) in a low mean/low VIM group, and 2.096 (1.67–2.63) in a low mean/high VIM group compared to a high mean/low VIM group. Low mean HDL-C levels, and high variability therein, are independent risk factors for BD.

Evaluation of the relationship of lymphangiogenesis markers with disease pathogenesis in patients with Behçet's uveitis

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between Behçet's uveitis and lymphangiogenesis by determining levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C, its receptors sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3 and lymphangiogenesis markers podoplanin (PDPN) and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1(LYVE-1), and C-type lectin domain family 1 member B (CLEC2).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

55 patients with BD uveitis and 31 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3, VEGF-C/sVEGFR-2 ratio, PDPN and LYVE-1 levels were higher in the patient group. A positive correlation was found between LYVE-1 and hsCRP levels. PDPN had a strong predictive value for progression with a cut-off value of 2 pg/mL, with 69% sensitivity and 68% specificity (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

LYVE-1 and PDPN can be good representatives of the ongoing inflammatory processes in BD uveitis and point out that the disease can be related to lymphangiogenesis.

Evaluation of atherogenic laboratory markers in Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement

INTRODUCTION

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis presenting with immunological and endothelial changes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate blood levels of diagnostic markers which can be used in Behçet's patients with vascular involvement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty Behçet's patients (22 with vascular involvement) and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol, Lp-plA-2, homocysteine and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program version 11.0. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

hsCRP, TNF-α, homocysteine, IMA, apoA1, apoB, HDL, Lp-pla2 and ESR levels in patient and control groups were significantly different (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003 respectively). In Behçet's patients with vascular involvement, homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 levels were significantly higher than in Behçet's patients without vascular involvement (p = 0.035, p = 0.010 and p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased levels of inflammatory and atherogenic markers in Behçet's patients are an expected outcome due to the inflammatory nature of the disease. Especially, elevated levels of homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 make them candidate diagnostic tools to be helpful in clinical evaluation of Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement.

Intravascular immunity as a key to systemic vasculitis: a work in progress, gaining momentum

Vascular inflammation contributes to the defence against invading microbes and to the repair of injured tissues. In most cases it resolves before becoming apparent. Vasculitis comprises heterogeneous clinical entities that are characterized by the persistence of vascular inflammation after it has served its homeostatic function. Most underlying mechanisms have so far remained elusive. Intravascular immunity refers to the surveillance of the vasculature by leucocytes that sense microbial or sterile threats to vessel integrity and initiate protective responses that entail most events that determine the clinical manifestations of vasculitis, such as end-organ ischaemia, neutrophil extracellular traps generation and thrombosis, leucocyte extravasation and degranulation. Understanding how the resolution of vascular inflammation goes awry in patients with systemic vasculitis will facilitate the identification of novel pharmacological targets and bring us a step closer in each patient to the selection of more effective and less toxic treatments.

Outcome measures used in clinical trials for Behçet syndrome: a systematic review

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis that is most active during young adulthood, causing serious disability and significant impairment in quality of life. Differences in the disease course, severity, and organ involvement between patients, depending on the age at presentation and sex, makes it impossible to determine a single management strategy. The diversity and variability in the outcome measures used in clinical trials in BS makes it difficult to compare the results or inform physicians about the best management strategy for individual patients. There is a large unmet need to determine or develop validated outcome measures for use in clinical trials in BS that are acceptable to researchers and regulatory agencies. We conducted a systematic review to describe the outcomes and outcome measures that have been used in clinical trials in BS. This review revealed the diversity and variability in the outcomes and outcome measures and the lack of standard definitions for most outcomes and rarity of validated outcome tools for disease assessment in BS. This systematic literature review will identify domains and candidate instruments for use in a Delphi exercise, the next step in the development of a core set of outcome measures that are properly validated and widely accepted by the collaboration of researchers from many different regions of the world and from different specialties, including rheumatology, ophthalmology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and neurology.

Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction and Evaluation of Vascular Reactivity Tests in Behçet Disease

We assessed endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with Behcet disease (BD; n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 20). Serum lipid, homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), and ultrasonographic flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were measured. Mean hsCRP, ESR, homocysteine, and ADMA were significantly higher in the BD group ( P < .001 for all). Patients with active BD had higher serum levels of hsCRP, homocysteine, and ESR compared with those in remission ( P < .001, P < .001, and P = .005, respectively). Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in patients with BD than in controls ( P = .001). Flow-mediated dilatation correlated negatively with BD duration and serum ADMA levels ( P < .001, r = −.745 and P < .001, r = −.682); a positive correlation was seen between serum ADMA levels and BD duration ( P < .001, r = .552). Only stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed BD duration to have a significant effect on FMD. Flow-mediated dilatation, in conjunction with markers of inflammation, may evaluate ED in patients with BD.

Serum endocan levels as a marker of disease activity in patients with Behçet disease

BACKGROUND

Endocan is a novel human endothelial cell-specific molecule. The central role of leukocytes and endothelial dysfunction in the development of Behçet disease (BD) led us to hypothesize that endocan might be a marker of this disease.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between serum levels of endocan and disease activity in patients with BD.

METHODS

In all, 33 patients (16 active, 17 inactive) with BD and 35 healthy persons were included in the study. Endocan and C-reactive protein were measured in all subjects.

RESULTS

Patients with BD had significantly higher serum endocan levels. Mean serum levels of endocan were 1.29 ± 0.60 ng/mL (range: 0.58-2.99) in patients with BD and 0.75 ± 0.16 ng/mL (range: 0.48-1.21) in control subjects (P < .001). In patients with BD, serum endocan levels correlated moderately but significantly with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and disease activity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the optimum endocan level cut-off point for patients with BD was 0.87 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 75.8% and 80%, respectively (area under curve 0.835, 95% confidence interval 0.738-0.932).

LIMITATIONS

The main limitation of our study is the relatively small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating endocan may be a marker of BD activity.

New insights into the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is a recurrent systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown origin characterized by oral and genital mucous ulcer, uveitis, and skin lesions. Involvement of large vessels, central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal tract and thrombotic events are less frequent but can be life threatening. The aim of this review is to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of BD. Over the past year substantial advances have been done in the understanding of the genetic [1,2] and immunology [3] of BD. BD is at the crossroad between autoimmune and autoinflammatory syndromes. In common with autoimmune diseases BD shares class I MHC association. However, in contrast to autoimmune disorders, BD has clinical features that seem to be mostly autoinflammatory. The pathogenesis of BD is still unknown, but major determinants of the genetic and immune system abnormalities have been reported recently. Triggering infectious factors are supposed to participate in the outbreak of BD in genetically predisposed patients. Two recent large genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in Turkey and Japan reported association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-23R/IL-12RB2 genes and BD. New insights into the perturbations of T cell homeostasis of BD recently emerged. We have recently demonstrated the promotion of Th17 responses and the suppression of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that were driven by interleukin (IL)-21 production and that correlates with BD activity. Inflammatory cells within BD inflammatory lesions included mostly neutrophils, Th1 and Th17 cells, and cytotoxic CD8+ and γδ T cells. Altogether, the recent progresses in the knowledge of BD pathogenesis pave the way for innovative therapy.

Association between peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction and livedoid vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a disease characterized by multiple painful and recurrent ulcerations on the feet, accompanied by atrophic scars. Many researchers suggest that a hypercoagulable status is the pathogenetic factor for LV. However, the cause of LV remains elusive.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine if endothelial dysfunction is present in patients with LV.

METHODS

This prospective study included 16 patients with LV and active ulcers and 16 matched control subjects. We reviewed detailed clinical parameters, including antinuclear antibody, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, protein C, protein S, homocysteine, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anticardiolipin antibody, and serum lipid profiles. Flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function using high-resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonic imaging.

RESULTS

Blood pressure, blood biochemistry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine were not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. Nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation was not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. However, flow-mediated vasodilation was much less in patients with LV than in the control group (3.58 ± 2.32% vs 7.51 ± 2.40%, P < .001).

LIMITATIONS

The study was performed at a single site with a limited sample size.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction was demonstrated in patients with LV by reduction of brachial flow-mediated vasodilation.

Effects of atorvastatin and lisinopril on endothelial dysfunction in patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis. Vascular involvement is one of the major complications of Behçet's disease, during the course of the disease. Previous studies showed that ACE inhibitors and statins may improve endothelial functions in endothelial dysfunction. The aim of our study is to compare the effects of atorvastatin and lisinopril to placebo on endothelial dysfunction in patients with Behçet's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively studied 92 (48 female) Behçet's patients who were diagnosed according to the International Study Group criteria. Endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) method using high-resolution vascular ultrasound device at baseline and after for 3-month therapy. Patients were consecutively randomized into three groups as (atorvastatin (n = 31), lisinopril (n = 31), and placebo groups (n = 30). Patients in atorvastatin group received 20 mg atorvastatin, lisinopril group received 10 mg lisinopril per day, and placebo group received placebo per day for 3 months.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of patients were similar among three groups; however, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were lower in atorvastatin group than placebo group. A significant improvement in FMD was observed in both atorvastatin (5.0 ± 1.4 vs. 12.8 ± 3.6%, P < 0.001) and lisinopril groups (5.0 ± 1.2 vs. 11.4 ± 5.0%, P < 0.001). Partial significant enhancement was observed in placebo group (4.9 ± 1.1% vs. 5.7 ± 1.0, P = 0.002). However, it was lower than the cutoff value for endothelial dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that atorvastatin and lisinopril improve endothelial functions in Behçet's disease patients. However, large studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of atorvastatin and lisinopril therapy.

Elevated Oxidative Stress Markers and its Relationship With Endothelial Dysfunction in Behçet Disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by endothelial dysfunction. However, the relationship between oxidative stress and endothelial function has not been clearly shown. We investigated the relationship between oxidative stress markers and endothelial function in patients with BD. Patients with BD (n = 40) having active disease and sex- and age-matched 40 controls were included. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) technique. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels (hsCRP) were measured in all participants. Brachial artery FMD was significantly lower in patients with BD than in controls. Gamma-glutamyltransferase and hsCRP levels were higher in patients with BD than in controls. Also, GGT and hsCRP levels were inversely correlated with endothelial function. Oxidative stress markers are elevated in patients with BD having active disease. This may be one of the reasons behind the vasculitis in active BD.