Endothelin-1 and ocular involvement in behcet's disease

ABSTRACT

To detect plasma Endothelin-1 [ET-1] in Behcet's disease [BD] and to assess if ET-1 is associated with ocular BD. 20 BD patients [12 with ocular and 8 without ocular disease] and 10 healthy control subjects were included in the study. The plasma level of Endothelin-1 was measured with Enzyme Immunometric Assay [EIA]. Plasma ET-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with BD than in the control subjects. Among patients with ocular BD, the mean plasma ET-1 levels were significantly increased when compared with non ocular disease and control subjects. Elevated plasma Endothelin-1 may play a role in ocular involvement of BD