The relation between soluble endothelial protein C receptor and factor VIII levels and FVIII/sEPCR index in healthy infants.
OBJECTIVE
Both soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) and factor VIII (FVIII) seem to be potential mediators in thrombotic and inflammatory states. The aim of the present study was to determine the relation between plasma sEPCR and FVIII levels in a group of healthy Turkish infants.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 50 healthy infants aged 6 months (Group 1, n=23) and 12 months (Group 2, n=27) having no acute or chronic infection and/or disease. sEPCR levels and FVIII levels were measured by ELISA and one stage factor assay method, respectively.


RESULTS
The sEPCR levels of the infants aged 6 months were found higher than those of the infants aged 12 months (p<0.001). There was a correlation between sEPCR and FVIII levels of the infants in Group 1 (6-month-old infants) (r=0.678, p<0.001). FVIII/sEPCR index was 0.73±0.3 and 1.0±0.5 in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p=0.027). A correlation between infant age and FVIII/sEPCR index was found (r=0.312, p=0.027).


CONCLUSIONS
The FVIII/sEPCR index in healthy infants reflects the physiological condition of this population. The finding showing a positive relationship between sEPCR and FVIII levels suggests a possible interaction between these mediators in healthy infants aged six months.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Social Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Ankara University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey Phone: +90 312 595 72 02 E-mail: simsekfiliz@hotmail.com.
Filiz
F
Şimşek Orhon
Yonca
Y
Eğin
Betül
B
Ulukol
Sevgi
S
Başkan
Nejat
N
Akar