Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in hidradenitis suppurativa

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are molecules related to endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis, but also to disease severity in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders. In this case-control study, we aimed to investigate serum Ang-2, ADMA, and OPG levels in patients with HS, and to assess the potential relationship between these levels and disease severity. Seventy-five patients with HS and 60 controls were assessed. Serum Ang-2, ADMA, and OPG concentrations were determined in all participants. HS patients had significantly higher Ang-2 and ADMA levels than controls after adjusting for confounders. Besides, Ang-2 concentrations positively correlated with disease severity in the adjusted multivariable analysis.Nevertheless, serum OPG levels did not significantly differ between HS patients and controls. Our results indicate that serum Ang-2 and ADMA levels are significantly increased in patients with HS. Furthermore, Ang-2 might be a suitable marker of HS severity.

Transcriptome Meta-Analysis Confirms the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Pathogenic Triad: Upregulated Inflammation, Altered Epithelial Organization, and Dysregulated Metabolic Signaling

“…Finally, MYOF plays a role in the cell membrane repair mechanism of endothelial cells that permits rapid resealing of membranes disrupted by mechanical stress [ 68 ]. A decreased number of circulating progenitor endothelial cells and endothelial dysfunction in HS has been previously described [ 69 , 70 ].…”

Potential Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk Improvement in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treated with Adalimumab: A Pivotal Study of Factors Associated with Carotid Intima–Media Thickness Reduction

“…Its treatment is still challenging, and is mainly based on topical and oral antibiotics, oral retinoids, biologic drugs, and surgery. Moreover, this entity has been previously associated with higher cardiovascular risk because of the great associated inflammatory burden [ 1 , 2 ] or endothelial dysfunction [ 3 ], as demonstrated for other skin diseases such as psoriasis [ 4 ]. One accessible technique for cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with HS and other diseases is the carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), which reflects the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis and is therefore linked to higher risk of cardiovascular events [ 5 – 8 ].…”

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa treated with TNF inhibitors

“…Recent studies evaluating CIMT values in HS reported that moderate‐to‐severe HS is an independent risk factor for premature subclinical atherosclerosis 4,5 . In addition, markers of endothelial dysfunction such as serum levels of angiopoietin‐2 and asymmetric dimethylarginine are increased in patients with HS 6 …”

“…4,5 In addition, markers of endothelial dysfunction such as serum levels of angiopoietin-2 and asymmetric dimethylarginine are increased in patients with HS. 6 Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, adalimumab and infliximab, are effective treatment options in recalcitrant moderate-to-severe HS. 7,8 However, no previous studies on HS have investigated whether TNF inhibitors affect the cardiovascular risk.…”