| Autor: |
Boldeanu MV; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Boldeanu L; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Cristea OM; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Ciobanu DA; Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Poenariu SI; Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Dijmărescu AL; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Bărbulescu AL; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Pădureanu V; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Sas TN; Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Dinescu ȘC; Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Vreju FA; Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Popoviciu HV; Department of Rheumatology, BFK and Medical Rehabilitation, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania., Ionescu RA; Third Internal Medicine Department, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania. |
| Abstrakt: |
Identifying certain serum biomarkers associated with the degree of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity can provide us with a more accurate view of the evolution, prognosis, and future quality of life for these patients. Our aim was to analyze the presence and clinical use of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), along with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and well-known cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) for patients with RA. We also wanted to identify the possible correlations between MMP-13 and these serological markers, as well as their relationship with disease activity indices, quality of life, and ultrasonographic evaluation. For this purpose, we analyzed serum samples of 34 RA patients and 12 controls. In order to assess serum concentrations for MMP-13, VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-6, we used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Our results concluded that higher levels of MMP-13, VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-6 were present in the serum of RA patients compared to controls, with statistical significance. We furthermore identified moderately positive correlations between VEGF, MMP-13, and disease activity indices, as well as with the ultrasound findings. We also observed that VEGF had the best accuracy (97.80%), for differentiating patients with moderate disease activity. According to the data obtained in our study, that although MMP-13, TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) have the same sensitivity (55.56%), MMP-13 has a better specificity (86.67%) in the diagnosis of patients with DAS28 (4v) CRP values corresponding to moderate disease activity. Thus, MMP-13 can be used as a biomarker that can differentiate patients with moderate or low disease activity. VEGF and MMP-13 can be used as additional parameters, along with TNF-α and IL-6, that can provide the clinician a better picture of the inflammatory process, disease activity, and structural damage in patients with RA. Our data can certainly constitute a start point for future research and extended studies with multicenter involvement, to support the selection of individualized and accurate therapeutic management strategies for our patients. |
