Clinical significance of circulating platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase levels in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) has been demonstrated to be one of anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic factors, suggesting the potential to be involved in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study is to determine serum PAF-AH levels and their clinical associations in patients with SSc. Serum PAF-AH levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 57 patients with SSc and 24 healthy individuals. Serum PAF-AH levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients (130.4 ± 69.5 ng/ml) compared with healthy individuals (81.6 ± 34.8 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Among SSc patients, there were no differences in serum PAF-AH levels between those with diffuse cutaneous SSc (135.5 ± 79.3 ng/ml; n = 29) and those with limited cutaneous SSc (125.1 ± 58.6 ng/ml; n = 28). Patients with SSc who had raised PAF-AH levels less often had digital ulcers and arthritis/arthralgias than those with normal PAF-AH levels. The results show that serum PAF-AH levels were increased in patients with SSc and associated with a lower frequency of pitting scars/digital ulcers and arthritis/arthralgias. PAF-AH could be a protective factor against the development of digital ulcers and arthritis/arthralgia in this disease and as such would be a useful serological marker for disease severity.

Liporotein-associated phospholipase-A2 can be a diagnostic marker inthe early stage diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia

“…Lp-LPA 2 is used and studied in many disorders such as oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, cardiac insufficiency, Alzheimer disease, transient ischemic attack (8), cerebrovascular disorder (9), allergic lung diseases, HIV-positive patients, intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants (10), hypertensive patients, subarachnoid hemorrhage, nonsmall cell lung cancer (11), patients with African dengue (12), hemodialysis patients, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis with immune response (13), polycystic ovary syndrome (14), systemic sclerosis (15), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, high-grade carotid stenosis with unstable plaque, and metabolic syndrome.…”

Macroalgal Proteins: A Review

“…There have been issues in the development of PAF-AH inhibitors in the treatment of atherosclerosis, as GlaxoSmithKline’s drug Darapladib failed to pass beyond its second phase III (STABILITY) clinical trial due to a reported lack of prevention in major coronary events and the generation of unexpected side effects including diarrhoea, malodorous faeces, urine, and skin [ 260 ]. Additionally, increased PAF-AH activity has been associated with the generation of digital ulcers [ 261 ]. Due to the failure of Darapladib and other viable PAF-AH inhibitors, statin drugs still remain the ideal choice of clinical treatment as they have been reported to inhibit plasma PAF-AH levels as well as cause a reduction in cardiovascular events [ 262 ].…”