[Association of serum level of apolipoprotein M with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of serum level of apolipoprotein M with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
A total of 65 patients with SLE, who came to Second Xiangya Hospital for treatment from April to November in 2013 (SLE group) and 120 age-and sex-matched controls (control group) were studied. The SLE group was further divided into three groups according to systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI): a mild activity group, a moderate activity group and a severe activity group (n=16, 16, 33, respectively). The control group was also divided into a disease control group (n=60) and a healthy control group (n=60). The serum levels of apo M were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Other indicators including TC, TG, HDL, LDL, apo A1, apo B, and anti-dsDNA antibody were detected. The correlation between SLEDAI or anti-dsDNA antibody and apo M was assessed.


RESULTS
Compared with the healthy control group, the expression levels of apo M and HDL were decreased significantly (both P<0.05), and the expression levels of anti-dsDNA antibody, TG, apo B were increased significantly in the SLE group (all P<0.05). Comparison among the three subgroups, no significant differences in apo M were found (all P>0.05). The serum concentration of apo M was significant negatively correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA antibody (r=-0.551, -0.562, both P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the healthy control group, the serum levels of apo M in patients with SLE are significantly decreased. The apo M is closely correlated with disease activity of SLE and it might be used as an indicator to monitor the disease activity of SLE.
Clinical Laboratory, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Wenhan
W
DU
Ling
L
Wang
Hui
H
Li
Yinyin
Y
Liu
Ting
T
Shen
Min
M
Hu
D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D000075243:Apolipoproteins M; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood*
C400523:APOM protein, human; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D000075243:Apolipoproteins M; D054834:Lipocalins