Changes Of Serum Hepcidin Level In Patients With Lupus Nephritis

Objective: Lupus nephritis is a kind of immune complex nephritis caused by systemic lupus erythematosus involving the kidneys.The formation of immune complexes causing massive release of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators,and jointly involved in the occurrence and development of LN disease.The study found that hepcidin is an iron metabolism regulator regulated by inflammatory factors in the body,it is also an important inflammatory factor involved in the development of inflammatory diseases.There is a certain relationship between hepcidin and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.This study was designed to investigate changes in serum level of hepcidin in patients with LN,and to analyze its relationship with the relevant clinical indicators.Preliminary exploring the mechanism of hepcidin in the development and progression of LN and its clinical significance.Methods: Sixty-two patients with LN were selected as the experimental group.There were fifty-six female patients and six male patients.The mean age was(32.13 ± 5.85)years.According to the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index(SLEDAI)score,LN patients were divided into two groups: forty-two cases of active LN group(score?10 points)and thirty cases of stable LN group(score <10 points).Another thirty cases of healthy subjects were selected as the control group,and their sex and age were matched with the experimental group.Collecting blood samples and relevant clinical data of all the selected subjects.The level of serum hepcidin was detected by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).To compare the differences in serum level of hepcidin among groups,and to analyze the correlation between hepcidin and anti-ds DNA antibodies,SLEDAI,complement C3,complement C4,anti-c1 q antibody and other related clinical indicators.Statistical analysis was performed using spss13.0 statistical software.A P-value of 0.05 indicates that the difference was statistically significant.Results: 1.The level of serum hepcidin in the LN experimental group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group(p<0.01);the level of serum hepcidin was significantly higher in the active LN group than that in the stable LN group and healthy control group(p<0.01);the level of serum hepcidin in the stable LN group was higher than that in the healthy control group,but no significant difference between the two groups(p> 0.05).2.The level of serum hemoglobin in the LN experimental group was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group(p<0.01);the level of serum hemoglobin was significantly lower in active LN group than that in the stable LN group and healthy control group(p<0.01);there was no significant difference in hemoglobin level between stable LN group and healthy control group(p> 0.05).3.Serum level of hepcidin was positively correlated with anti-dsDNA,anti-c1 q antibody,SLEDAI scores and hypersensitivity c-reactive protein(p<0.01 or p<0.05);serum level of hepcidin was negatively correlated with complement C3(p<0.05).There was no correlation between serum levels of hepcidin and ESR,complement C4 and hemoglobin(p>0.05).Conclusion: Hepcidin may play an important role in the development of LN disease.Changes of serum hepcidin level in patients with LN can reflect the disease activity to a certain extent,which may be of great significance in guiding clinical treatment and assessing efficacy and prognosis.