Increase of endocan, a new marker for inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, in acute kidney injury

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the clinical relevance of the levels of serum endocan and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was investigated in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Endocan or the endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 is a soluble proteoglycan secreted by vascular endothelial cells. It plays a significant role in immunity, inflammation, and endothelial function. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with AKI (19 females, 20 males) and 38 healthy individuals (18 females, 20 males) were included in the study. The levels of serum endocan, vitamin D, and other biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In the AKI group, the values of serum creatinine, endocan, parathormone, phosphorus, and uric acid were found to be higher, and the total protein, albumin, and calcium levels were lower compared to the control group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the serum vitamin D, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. CONCLUSION: In patients with AKI, an increased endocan level is a significant marker of inflammation and endothelial injury. In addition, these patients experience vitamin D deficiency.