Carotid artery intima-media thickness, heat shock proteins and oxidized LDL autoantibodies in systemic necrotizing vasculitis.

In this study we evaluate early atherosclerotic changes and determine whether anti-HSP-60, anti-HSP-65 and anti-oxLDL autoantibodies are elevated in systemic necrotizing vasculitis. Thirty-two patients having systemic necrotizing vasculitis were compared with normal controls and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The antibodies against human HSP-60, HSP-65 and oxLDL were measured by antihuman ELISA kit. All patients underwent non-invasive measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). In a comparison between carotid IMT extent between vasculitis patients and SLE, no significant differences were noted. Levels of anti-HSP-60, anti-HSP-65 IgG and anti-oxLDL autoantibodies were similar among patients compared to controls. IgM anti-HSP-60 antibody levels were significantly lower in patients compared to controls and a similar trend was found regarding IgM anti-HSP-65. As a group, patients having various necrotizing vasculitis have similar extent of early atherosclerotic changes regardless of the vasculitis type, and these levels are similar to those found in SLE.