Abstract
Introduction This study sought to determine the serum levels of
follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1), a glycoprotein of mesenchymal origin shown
to be involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, for example
Behçet’s disease (BD), and to investigate its association with
disease activity.
Material and Methods The study included 45 patients followed for newly
diagnosed Behçet’s disease who met the 1990 International Study
Group criteria for BD and a control group of 36 healthy volunteers who were age-
and gender-matched. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients
and control groups. Serum FSTL-1 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. The disease activity was assessed using the
Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF).
Results A comparison of serum FSTL-1 levels in the patient and control
groups found significantly higher levels of FSTL-1 in the patient group. Serum
FSTL-1 levels were significantly higher in female patients compared with male
patients. Female patients exhibited significantly higher BDCAF scores compared
with male patients (p=0.008). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum
FSTL-1 levels were positively correlated.
Conclusion Serum FSTL-1 levels may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of
BD and can also be a useful biomarker for determining disease activity.
Schlüsselwörter
Follistatin-Like Protein 1 - Behçet-Krankheit - Krankheitsaktivität - Sedimentationsrate
der Erythrozyten
Key words
disease activity - erythrocyte sedimentation rate - follistatin-like protein 1 - Behçet's
disease
