Endothelin: A Potential Universal Systemic Biomarker.

BACKGROUND

Endothelins is a family of vasoconstrictive peptides known for their high potency. They are mainly synthesized and secreted by the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in response to various stimuli. Their main physiological role is the regulation of vascular tone, affecting blood pressure and tissue perfusion.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to evaluate the importance of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plasma levels as a marker in diagnosis, disease burden, or development, due to its vascular effects.

METHODS

Data was collected and grouped, from several studies in different organ systems, during the last thirty years, were collected. A statistical analysis was performed to reveal any similarities and differences among them.

RESULTS

ET-1 was found to be increased in arterial and pulmonary hypertension. Plasma ET-1 was elevated in patients with heart failure, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, and liver failure. In all these cases, ET-1 was increased at least twice the maximum of normal plasma concentration in healthy subjects, in a similar pattern, independently of the disease background. More importantly, plasma ET-I levels increased even more according to the severity of the disease, not necessarily in a linear manner.

DISCUSSION: Plasma ET-1 levels appears to increase whenever a disorder or dysfunction occurs in kidney, heart, lungs, liver and pancreas. Since, remission is followed by a reduction in the already elevated levels, plasma ET-1 emerges to be an important diagnostic molecule.

CONCLUSION

Endothelin-1 appears to increase similarly across various pathological conditions, making it a potential biomarker for overall human physiological status.