Abstract
Introduction: Nephritis is a frequent inflammatory autoimmune complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Detecting the nephritis state of SLE patients using non-invasive biomarkers seems to be necessary.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate role of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) as a noninvasive method in the assessment of lupus nephritis.
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, Iran, during 2017-2018. A total of 114 SLE patients diagnosed based on the lupus diagnosis criteria including the clinical and paraclinical symptoms that were referred to the rheumatology or nephrology clinics and were enrolled in the study. After obtaining informed consent, a blood sample was taken to determine serum VCAM-1 levels. All patients were evaluated for glomerular hematuria and proteinuria in addition to testing for serum C3, and C4, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-ds DNA levels. The serum urea and creatinine levels as well as 24-hour urine protein were measured. Finally, the patients were designed into two groups of SLE with and without nephritis. A renal biopsy was performed in lupus patients with nephritis to determine the class of the disease. The association between serum levels of VCAM-1 and activity of SLE disease [systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI)], anti-dsDNA serum level, glomerular hematuria, proteinuria, and lupus nephritis class were evaluated.
Results: According to statistical analysis there was no significant relationship between SLEDAI and VCAM-1 levels was detected (P>0.05). Additionally, no significant relationship between VCAM-1 levels and lupus nephritis classes was detected (P>0.05); however the serum VCAM-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with hematuria (P= 0.021).
Conclusion: There is no correlation between serum VCAM-1 levels and classes of lupus nephritis. Our data however requires further investigation on its clinical implications.