BACKGROUND: The origin of Behçet's disease (BD) is unclear. One of the prominent features of BD is vasculitis and thrombosis as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Because nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by endothelium, we considered it as an interesting target of investigation in BD. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to define the level of NO in the serum of patients with BD and its relation with disease activity. METHODS: As an indicator for NO, serum total nitrite levels (end product of NO) were measured by Griess reaction in 52 consecutive patients with BD and compared with 32 age- and sex-matched healthy staff volunteers. Serum NO levels of active and inactive patients were compared. RESULTS: The overall serum nitrite levels in patients with BD (40.25 +/- 10.51 micromol/L) were significantly higher (P <.001) than those in healthy volunteers (25.09 +/- 5.33 micromol/L). The difference in serum total nitrite levels among patients with active BD (46.74 +/- 10.62 micromol/L) and inactive BD (33.24 +/- 3.73 micromol/L) was significant (P <.001). Significant differences were observed in serum nitrite levels between patients in the inactive period of BD and the control group (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Increased NO production might be responsible for the overall inflammatory process of BD. NO seems to be related to disease activity.
BACKGROUND: The origin of Behçet's disease (BD) is unclear. One of the prominent features of BD is vasculitis and thrombosis as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Because nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by endothelium, we considered it as an interesting target of investigation in BD. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to define the level of NO in the serum of patients with BD and its relation with disease activity. METHODS: As an indicator for NO, serum total nitrite levels (end product of NO) were measured by Griess reaction in 52 consecutive patients with BD and compared with 32 age- and sex-matched healthy staff volunteers. Serum NO levels of active and inactive patients were compared. RESULTS: The overall serum nitrite levels in patients with BD (40.25 +/- 10.51 micromol/L) were significantly higher (P <.001) than those in healthy volunteers (25.09 +/- 5.33 micromol/L). The difference in serum total nitrite levels among patients with active BD (46.74 +/- 10.62 micromol/L) and inactive BD (33.24 +/- 3.73 micromol/L) was significant (P <.001). Significant differences were observed in serum nitrite levels between patients in the inactive period of BD and the control group (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Increased NO production might be responsible for the overall inflammatory process of BD. NO seems to be related to disease activity.
Authors: Murat Yuksel; Abdulkadir Yildiz; Mustafa Oylumlu; Fatih Mehmet Turkcu; Mehmet Zihni Bilik; Aysun Ekinci; Bilal Elbey; Ebru Tekbas; Sait Alan Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2015-03-07 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: Cem Evereklioglu; Hamdi Er; Selim Doganay; Mustafa Cekmen; Yusuf Turkoz; Baris Otlu; Elif Ozerol Journal: Doc Ophthalmol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 2.379
Authors: Mustafa Calis; Filiz Ates; Cevat Yazici; Kader Kose; Mehmet Kirnap; Meltem Demir; Murat Borlu; Cem Evereklioglu Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2005-05-03 Impact factor: 2.631