Lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) levels in patients with active BD, possible association of LOX-1 with the oxidised LDL (oxLDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels, and to characterise the differences between patients with active BD and those with systemic lupus erythematosus( SLE) in terms of these parameters compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients with active BD, 22 patients with SLE as patients controls, and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Significantly lower eNOS ve NO levels were observed in patients with BD and SLE compared with healthy controls. oxLDL, LOX-1 ve ET-1 levels were significantly increased in active periods of patients with BD and SLE compared with healthy control. There was no significant difference in oxLDL levels between subjects with BD and SLE. LOX-1 levels were significantly higher in active periods of patients with BD than in SLE , ET-1 levels were significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial dysfunction parameters are elevated in patients with BD having active disease. The necessary measures should be considered in terms of risk of atherosclerosis in BD, especially for the early identification of endothelial damage by looking at LOX-1 levels.