title: Blood serum levels of amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide in patients with systemic sclerosis.
abstract: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the association of serum levels of amino-terminal fragment of pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP), as a substitute measure of serum C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Serum NT-proCNP, soluble (s)E-and sP-selectin levels were examined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 patients with SSc and 30 healthy controls. We found no statistically significant difference in serum levels of NT-proCNP neither between patients with SSc and healthy controls nor between those treated with immunosuppressive agents and untreated patients. Nevertheless, in the investigated SSc group, serum NT-proCNP levels correlated with the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the duration of the disease. Both sP- and sE-selectin levels were elevated in SSc patients when compared to healthy subjects. Also they did not correlate with the concentrations of NT-proCNP. The results of the study indicate that serum NT-proCNP level is likely secondary to existing inflammation. However, the magnitude of CNP action in SSc and its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. anolegaw@wp.pl
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olewicz-Gawlik
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danczak-Pazdrowska
authors.forename: Kamilla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klama
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Silny
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prokop
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grala
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hrycaj
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000097:blood*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019040:E-Selectin; D019007:P-Selectin; C546936:SELE protein, human; C480579:amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide, human; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D002097:C-Reactive Protein