Serum fibulin level in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific symptoms that proceed with high mortality and morbidity. Fibulin proteins build up an extensive family consisting of 7 members that consist of secretion glycoproteins associated with basal membranes, elastic fibers and some other matrix proteins. The importance of Fibulin 1 and 5 in PAH etiopathogenesis was investigated in our study. In the present study, the serum fibulin 1 and 5 values of 26 PAH patients and 30 healthy controls were measured. The serum fibulin 1 and 5 levels were measured with the ELISA Method in blood samples taken from both groups. In addition, the demographical characteristics of the patients and laboratory values used in the follow-ups and treatments were also recorded. All the data were assessed after proper statistical analyses in a comparative manner. The demographical characteristics of both groups were similar in our study, and all participants in the PAH Group were receiving specific PAH treatment. The average serum fibulin 1 value was found as 5.096±4.24 in PAH Group, and the serum fibulin 5 median value was found to be 3.034. No significant differences were detected between the Fibulin 1-5 and UA, 6DYT, the average PAB values measured with catheter and mortality. The serum fibulin 1 and 5 values were found to be higher at a statistically significant level in PAH patients when compared with the Control Group. No significant relations were detected between the 6DKT, serum UA level and PAB values measured with catheter, which are among prognostic values. In addition, no significant relations were detected between the serum fibulin levels and mortality. Furthermore, no correlations were detected between the serum fibulin 1-5 values and prednol treatment. All these findings make us consider that the serum fibulin 1 and 5 values measured in PAH patients may be prognostic biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis; however, it is necessary that this statement is investigated and confirmed with wider series, long-term follow-ups and with future prospective studies that standardize the blood-taking time.