Associations between circulating endostatin levels and vascular organ damage in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease: an observational study

摘要

Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are chronic immune-mediated disorders complicated by vascular organ damage. The aim of this study was to examine the serum levels of the markers of neoangiogenesis: endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in our unselected cohorts of SSc and MCTD. Methods Sera of SSc patients (N?=?298) and MCTD patients (N?=?162) from two longitudinal Norwegian cohorts were included. Blood donors were included as controls (N?=?100). Circulating VEGF and endostatin were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Results Mean endostatin levels were increased in SSc patients 93.7 (37) ng/ml ( P