In systemic sclerosis, microvascular and hands digital arteries damage correlates with serum levels of endostatin

Objective: In SSc, vascular injury leads to endothelial dysfunction with reduced capillary blood flow and tissue hypoxia. In SSc, the angiogenesis is impaired and implicated in the microvascular damage. In severe vascular damage, VEGF is reduced and endostatin is increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between endostatin serum levels and microvascular and digital arteries damage.

Methods: Seventeen patients with SSc were enrolled in this study. Serum endostatin levels were determined. All patients underwent a NVC, CDUS, and LDPI.

Results: The serum level of endostatin significantly (P < .05) increased with NVC progression damage. The mean perfusion significantly (P < .05) decreased with NVC progression damage. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between endostatin serum level and RI (r = .34, P < .05), PI (r = .60, P < .01), S/D ratio (r = .76, P < .0001), and mean perfusion (r = -.68, P < .001). Endostatin serum levels significantly (P < .05) increased with progression of CDUS damage.

Conclusions: Increased serum endostatin levels are associated with digital vascular damage. In patients with SSc, endostatin is a marker of skin perfusion and digital arteries damage of hands.