Serum pentosidine levels in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammatory diseases lead to glycation of protein, lipids and nuclear acids. One product generated in this context is pentosidine. AIM: To study pentosidine levels in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and its possible association with disease activity and cumulative damage. METHODS: Pentosidine serum levels were measured in the serum by ELISA commercial kits in 79 patients with SLE. Disease activity index and cumulative damage were studied by SELENA-SLEDAI (Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) and cumulative damage by SLICC/ACR DI (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) respectively and simultaneously with determination of pentosidine levels. Epidemiological and clinical and serological profile were collected from the charts. RESULTS: In the 79 studied patients, the SLEDAI ranged from 0 to 12 (median of 0) and the SLICC/ACR-DI from 0 to 4 (median of 0). Serum pentosidine levels did not correlate with SLEDAI neither with SLICC. Patients with discoid skin lesions and photosensitivity had lower levels than those without them, with p ​= ​0.04 in both. CONCLUSION: In SLE, serum pentosidine levels did not reflect activity and cumulative damage. Patients with skin manifestations had lower levels of this biomarker.