Systemic sclerosils-related Raynaud's phenomenon: Effects of iloprost infusion therapy on serum cytokine, growth factor and soluble adhesion moleculelevels

Microvascular damage occurs in systemic sclerosis and is associated with in creased serum levels of endothelial adhesion molecules and endothelium-asso ciated cytokines, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), int ercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, endothelin-1 and vascu lar endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue, in duces clinical benefit in patients suffering from seleroderma-related Rayna ud's phenomenon. This study was performed to investigate the effect of ilop rost infusions on endothelium activation. Serum samples from 12 patients wi th systemic sclerosis were examined using specific enzyme-linked immunoassa ys. The serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and soluble E-selectin were initia lly elevated and significantly reduced after iloprost infusions. The serum concentrations of VEGF and endothelin-1 revealed decreased levels after the rapy too. These results indicate that the well-known clinical benefit of il oprost infusions on Raynaud's phenomenon is serologically detectable by a r eduction of serum levels of endothelium-associated adhesion molecules, cyto kines and growth factors reflecting an improvement in endothelial function.