Investigation of the relationship between serum prolidase enzyme activity and endothelial dysfunction and cardiac functions in those with Family Mediterranean Fever

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum prolidase enzyme activity (SPEA) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) and cardiac functions in individuals with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Material and Method: A total of 112 participants aged 18-65 years FMF patients in the attack-free period (n=73) and a control group without chronic diseases (n=39) were included in this cross-sectional clinical study. Echocardiography was used to assess flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for ED, endothelial deceleration time (EDT) for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) for measuring subclinical atherosclerosis. Simultaneous SPEA measurements were obtained from blood samples. Results: Patients with FMF (n=73) and the control group (n=39) were included. In the patient group, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P=0.005), leukocyte count (P=0.029), C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen (P<0.001) were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group. SPEA was also statistically higher in the patient group compared to the control group (P=0.032). Parameters indicating ED, CIMT, and one of the parameters indicating LVDD, EDT, were statistically significantly higher in patients compared to the control group (P<0.001). In the univariate logistic regression analysis evaluating the relationship between SPEA and the presence of ED, the presence of LVDD, and increased CIMT in the patient group, apart from increased CIMT (P=0.048), no significance was found. Conclusion: Higher SPEA was found in patients with FMF. The risk of developing ED, LVDD, and subclinical atherosclerosis is higher in patients compared to the normal population. There may be an association between subclinical atherosclerosis and increased SPEA, but no relationship was found between SPEA and ED or LVDD. Keywords: Endothelial dysfunction Familial Mediterranean Fever, Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, Serum prolidase enzyme activity, Subclinical atherosclerosis