Serum endocan levels are increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
BACKGROUND
Endocan is a marker of angiogenesis previously studied in various types of cancer and inflammatory conditions. Its expression is influenced by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), cytokines involved in pathogenetic pathways in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to determine whether serum endocan levels were increased in IBD patients.


METHODS
We conducted an exploratory pilot study. Serum endocan levels were determined in a group of 33 consecutive IBD patients from an observational cohort study ongoing at Colentina Hospital and compared to levels determined in two control groups: healthy controls and stage IV cancer patients.


RESULTS
Endocan levels were significantly higher in the IBD group as compared to both healthy controls (p < 0.001) and cancer patients (p < 0.01). There was no correlation found between endocan levels and disease activity as assessed by clinical or endoscopical activity scores.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a potential role for endocan in future biomarker studies in IBD patients.
Theodor
T
Voiosu
Paul
P
Bălănescu
Andreea
A
Benguş
Andrei
A
Voiosu
Cristian Răsvan
CR
Baicuş
Maria
M
Barbu
Anca
A
Ladaru
Cornelia
C
Nitipir
Bogdan
B
Mateescu
Mircea
M
Diculescu
Radu
R
Voiosu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000097:blood*
C101134:ESM1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans