title: Serum relaxin in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate serum levels of relaxin (RLX), a hormone with acknowledged antifibrotic activity, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a pilot study of 50 outpatients with SSc and 50 healthy subjects. Serum RLX was measured using the relaxin ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum RLX appeared to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with SSc compared to controls. RLX appeared significantly increased (p < 0.001) in male patients compared to male controls, and in female patients compared to female controls. RLX was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in female patients and female controls compared to male patients and male controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with SSc, the increased level of RLX represents a defensive response against the fibrotic process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine-Metabolic Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. giordanon@unisi.it
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Panayotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papakostas
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lucani
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amendola
authors.forename: Fiorenza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cipolli
authors.forename: Vita Maria
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Agate
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battisti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: Ranuccio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nuti
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012065:Relaxin / Q000097:blood*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012065:Relaxin