Can signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) be used as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction in acromegaly patients?

Tüfekci D., Nuhoğlu İ., Ayan S. Ş., Gunay Y. E., Coşkun H., Bilginer M. C., ...More

ENDOCRINE, vol.82, no.1, pp.152-160, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12020-023-03444-1
  • Journal Name: ENDOCRINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.152-160
  • Keywords: Acromegaly, e(NOS), Endothelial dysfunction, SCUBE-1
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

PurposeAcromegaly is closely related to increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time in the literature, signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase e(NOS) levels in the setting of acromegaly.MethodA total of 56 acromegaly patients and a control group composed of 30 healthy volunteers were included in this study. In the postoperative follow-up, patients were grouped as active or in-remission according to their GH and IGF-1 levels in oral glucose stimulation test (OGST). After detailed physical examination of acromegaly patients and the control subjects, 8-hour fasting blood samples were collected to evaluate biochemical parameters including lipid profile, anterior pituitary hormones, and SCUBE-1 and e(NOS) levels.ResultsInactive and active acromegaly was noted in 78.6% and 21.4% of patients, respectively. The median (min-max) SCUBE-1 levels were significantly higher in the inactive acromegaly and active acromegaly groups than in the control group (1.6(0.4-2.4) and 1.8(1.1-2.5) vs. 0.4(0.2-1.0) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.001 for each). The median (min-max) e(NOS) levels were significantly higher in the inactive acromegaly and active acromegaly groups than in the control group (132.7 (26.8-602.9) and 137.3 (69.7-488.7) vs. 83.9 (16.4-218.7) pg/mL, p = 0.018 and p = 0.048, respectively). We have also detected positive correlations of e(NOS) with leukocyte (r = 0.307, p = 0.021) and neutrophil counts (r = 0.309, p = 0.021).ConclusionOur study revealed for the first time in literature that SCUBE-1 levels, being a novel marker for ED, were significantly higher in acromegaly patients than in control subjects. When supported with clinical studies, SCUBE-1can be used as an early indicator of endothelial damage in acromegaly patients.