The Relationship Between Serum Endocan Levels and Macrophage Activation Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients
Öz
Background: Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), also known as endocan, is a biomarker associated with endothelial dysfunction. It is synthesised primarily by vascular endothelial cells, epithelial cells lining the distal renal tubules, and submucosal glands of the bronchi and lungs. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between this molecule, which is known to play a role in inflammatory processes, and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) associated with COVID-19; and to evaluate whether serum endocan levels are a predictive marker of mortality and clinical severity in COVID-19 patients.
Methods: A total of 90 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the study. Serum samples were collected to determine endocan levels, which were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Patients were divided into two groups based on the COVID-19-associated hyperinflammatory syndrome (cHIS) score: Group 1 (cHIS score ≥2/ low-grade hyperinflammation) and Group 2 (cHIS score <2).
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in serum endocan levels between the two groups. However, Group 1 showed significantly lower lymphocyte counts (p=0.007) and significantly higher levels of ferritin, CRP, IL-6, D-dimer, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, LDH, and glucose (all p<0.001) compared to Group 2. Hospital stay duration was positively correlated with the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p<0.001, r=0.464), D-dimer (p=0.014, r=0.277), LDH (p=0.001, r=0.364), and AST (p=0.005, r=0.312).
Conclusion: No significant association was found between serum endocan levels and COVID-19-related hyperinflammatory states. Considering the multiple mechanisms that may influence endocan expression, long-term, multicenter, and controlled studies are required to better understand the clinical significance of this biomarker.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Destekleyen Kurum
No funding was used for the study.
Etik Beyan
This study was approved by the Health Sciences University (SBU) Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee with decision number 488 on 29.12.2020. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to surgery.
Teşekkür
No acknowledgement for the study.
Kaynakça
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