title: Increased urotensin-II activity in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) commonly co-exists with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The obvious pathophysiological mechanism in RP is vasoconstriction. Although the roles of certain vasoconstrictor substances, like endothelin-1, have been identified in RP, underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot study, we researched a relatively recently identified, very potent vasoconstrictor peptide, urotensin-II (U-II), in SLE patients versus those without RP. In addition to its vasoconstrictor effect, U-II has been implicated in cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis. Increased frequencies of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events comprise another issue in SLE patients. To address these effects, we included 15 Raynaud's (+) and 15 Raynaud's (-) SLE patients and compared both cohorts against age and sex-matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly elevated U-II activity in both RP (+) and RP (-) SLE patients, relative to controls (P < 0.0001); however, the difference among RP (+) SLE patients was more prominent. U-II was significantly elevated in RP (+) SLE patients when compared to RP (-) SLE patients (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that, either as a cause or by-product, U-II may have some role in Raynaud's-related vasoconstriction. It also might contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in SLE patients. Further studies clearly are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Harran University School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey. buyukhatipoglu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buyukhatipoglu
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buyukaslan
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pehlivan
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.forename: Turgay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ulas
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarakcioglu
authors.forename: Ahmet M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Onat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D036361:Peptide Hormones; C479080:UTS2B protein, human