Serum levels of siCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin in healthy Bulgarian people.

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an important early feature of vascular disease. As the damage to endothelium is a key underlying factor in the development and progression of atherosclerotic processes, markers of endothelial abnormalities have been sought. Increased expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) on the vascular endothelium has been postulated to play a significant role in atherogenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that different risk factors of atherosclerosis may increase expression of CAMs. The elevated level of soluble forms of CAMs in circulation is associated with a higher risk to future cardiovascular events in subjects predisposed to atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the reference range for serum concentration of soluble cell adhesion molecules - slCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 110 healthy people of Bulgarian nationality aged 18-65. The selection criteria for the reference group were made in accordance with the requirements of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC). Serum concentrations of CAMs were analysed by means of ELISA assay.

RESULTS

The results are presented as central 95% interval and 0.90 confidence interval of the reference range. Reference ranges were determined for sICAM-1 (128.9 - 347.48 ng/ml), sVCAM-1 (170.42 - 478.36 ng/ml), sE-selectin (9.15 - 65.19 ng/ml) and sP-selectin (101.86 - 209.7 ng/ml). As we found no sex-related differences in the CAMs concentrations (p > 0.05) there needed to be no separate reference intervals for men and women. The single-factor dispersion analysis we used in analysing the effect of age found no age-related dependence (p > 0.05, F = 1.038) for the serum CAM concentrations in the 18-65 age range, which means that it is not necessary to establish reference intervals for smaller age ranges in this age group.

CONCLUSION

The reference ranges for slCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin computed in accordance with the results distribution can be used as baseline criteria in clinical laboratory studies.