title: Elevated serum levels of visfatin in patients with henoch-schönlein purpura.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an immune complex-mediated disease predominantly characterized by the deposition of circulating immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A (IgA) on the walls of small vessels. Although the pathogenesis of HSP is not yet fully understood, some researchers proposed that B-cell activation might play a critical role in the development of this disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the serum levels of visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor), B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and CXCL13, and to analyze their association with disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum levels of visfatin, BAFF, and CXCL13 were measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 43 patients with HSP and 45 controls. The serum levels of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected by using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of visfatin but not BAFF and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in the sera of patients with HSP in the acute stage, and restored to normal levels in the convalescent stage. Furthermore, serum levels of visfatin were significantly higher in patients with HSP having renal involvement than in those without renal involvement. Serum levels of visfatin were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentration of ACA-IgA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We show for the first time that the serum levels of visfatin are abnormally elevated in patients with HSP. Visfatin may be associated with the pathogenesis of HSP.
authors: Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Cao
authors: Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors: Zai-Pei
authors: ZP
authors: Guo
authors: Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors: Meng-Meng
authors: MM
authors: Li
authors: Department of Dermatovenereology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors: Xiao-Yan
authors: XY
authors: Jiao
keywords: B-cell activating factor; Chemokine CXCL13; Henoch-Schoenlein purpura; Immunoglobulin A; Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase