title: Endocan: A novel inflammatory indicator in cardiovascular disease?
abstract: Endothelial dysfunction is considered as an early change in atherogenesis. Raised levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endocan (previously known as endothelial cell specific molecule-1, ESM-1), is a potential immunoinflammatory marker that may be linked to CVD. Endocan is released by vascular endothelial cells in several organs. Endocan may play an important role in regulating cell adhesion and raised plasma levels may reflect endothelial dysfunction. Endocan levels are elevated in conditions such as chronic kidney disease, renal transplant rejection, tumor progression and hypertension. Endocan is a potential inflammatory and CVD marker. Further studies are needed to assess the relevance of endocan in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drsevketb@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sevket
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balta
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sait
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demirkol
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turgay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Atila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iyisoy
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C101134:ESM1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cell adhesion; Endocan; Endothelial dysfunction; Inflammation