Circulating endothelium-related adhesion molecules in black South African patients with Graves' disease

Elevated serum concentrations of endothelium-associated adhesion molecules occur in Graves' disease. However, no data exist in African subjects, among whom the incidence is rising. Therefore, 20 black South Africans with Crav es' hyperthyroidism were evaluated and 10 healthy controls were also studie d. Quantitative determinations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and solubl e E-Selectin (sE-Selectin) were performed in serum samples by an enzyme-lin ked immunosorbent assay. Mean levels of sVCAM-1 were significantly increase d in the thyrotoxic patients compared to controls, but this did not apply t o the other adhesion molecules. The presence of ophthalmopathy in 12 patien ts did not further increase the mean sVCAM-1 concentration, and the adminis tration of antithyroid medication in 5 patients had no measurable effect. I n conclusion, sVCAM-1 appears to be a useful marker of active Craves' disea se in black South Africans although it does not seem to reflect the occurre nce of eye involvement in such patients.