Journal article
Plasma endogenous enkephalin levels in early systemic sclerosis: clinical and laboratory associations
Clinical and experimental rheumatology, Vol.28(2 Suppl 58), pp.S7-11
2010
PMCID: PMC3192018
PMID: 20576209
Abstract
Objective: Met- and leu-enkephalins are endogenous opioid neuropeptides with potent analgesic, vasoactive, immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic properties. We hypothesised that clinical or immunological variables of early systemic sclerosis (SSc) might be correlated to plasma enkephalin levels.
Methods: Plasma samples were collected at study entry of the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcomes Study (GENISOS) cohort (early SSc, n=116). Plasma met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin levels (microg/ml) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlated to clinical and laboratory parameters in the GENISOS database. Statistical analyses were performed by nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results: Significantly lower plasma met-enkephalin levels were associated with anti-topoisomerase-I seropositivity (6+8.3 vs. 14.9+22.8 microg/ml, p=0.02). Plasma leu-enkephalin levels were significantly higher in SSc patients with digital pulp loss (95.6+130 vs. 64.9+101 microg/ml, p=0.02). Lower mean plasma met-enkephalin levels and inversely higher leu-enkephalin levels were noted in SSc patients with Raynaud's phenomena (p=NS).
Conclusion: The associations of plasma enkephalin levels to immunologic or clinical pathologies may underscore their vasogenic or fibrogenic significance and potential as therapeutic targets in early SSc.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Plasma endogenous enkephalin levels in early systemic sclerosis: clinical and laboratory associations
- Creators
- T.A McNearney - Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TXK.A Sluka - Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IAC Ahn - Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TXJ.D Reveille - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Health Sciences Center, Houston, TXM Fischbach - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, USAM.D Mayes - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Clinical and experimental rheumatology, Vol.28(2 Suppl 58), pp.S7-11
- PMID
- 20576209
- PMCID
- PMC3192018
- ISSN
- 0392-856X
- eISSN
- 1593-098X
- Grant note
- P50 AR054144-03 || AR / National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases : NIAMS P50 AR044888-06 || AR / National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases : NIAMS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2010
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984040254002771
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