Investigation of the cardiac impacts of endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 and ghrelin in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with significant cardiac manifestations, including right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. This study aims to explore the relationship between endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 and ghrelin levels with right ventricular function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and assess their potential as biomarkers for cardiac involvement.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted involving 34 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 35 healthy controls. Echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Serum levels of endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 and ghrelin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses included comparisons between groups and correlations between biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters.

RESULTS

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had significantly higher levels of endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 and ghrelin compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 showed a moderate positive correlation with right ventricular systolic motion (p=0.007). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and a higher disease activity had elevated endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 levels, particularly those with positive antiphospholipid antibodies (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between ghrelin levels and right ventricular function. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified cutoff values for endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 (≥1.871) and ghrelin (≥360.50) with moderate sensitivity and specificity for predicting systemic lupus erythematosus.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 and ghrelin may play important roles in the pathophysiology of right ventricular dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.