AB0294 THE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON ENDOTHELIN-1 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: Antonio Alvarez de Cienfuegos, Lucia Cantero-Nieto, José Alberto García-Gómez, Gema Robledo, Javier Martin Ibanez, Raquel Ríos Fernández, Miguel A. González-Gay, Norberto Ortego
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the chronic autoimmune diseases with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 2 percent of the total population in the world. RA patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular (CV) events as a result of accelerated atherosclerosis. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a hormone with strong vasoconstrictor properties, secreted in excessive amounts by damaged endothelial cells. However, the effect of this hormone depends on the presence of specific ET-1 receptors as well as their density and location. ET-1 is a mediator-activating autocrine and paracrine, primarily in the circulatory system. It induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, exacerbating the inflammatory process. <h3>Objectives</h3> The objectives of this study were: <i>to compare serum ET-1 levels between RA patients and healthy controls and</i> observe the relationship between tobacco smoking and serum levels of ET-1 in RA patients. <h3>Methods</h3> This cross-sectional study was performed in Vega-Baja Hospital, Orihuela (Spain) from November 2016 to May 2018. We prospectively enrolled 63 consecutive women patients affected by RA and followed at the Vega-Baja Hospital (Orihuela, Spain) and 65 matched healthy women controls. All patients included in this study had normal serum creatinine (Cr) levels and met the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria for RA. Current smokers were defined as those who reported having smoked ≥1 cigarette per day regularly during the year preceding the examination. Serum ET-1 was analyzed using ELISA. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 63 female patients were included in our study, with a mean (SD) age of 53 ± 8 years. The majority were Caucasian (90.5%). The mean duration of RA was 8.5 ± 5.8 years. The mean disease activity scores in 28 joints (DAS28) according to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicated low disease activity 3.0 ± 1.3. The mean health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) was 0.75 ± 0.67. Fourteen (22%) patients had a smoking history. Serum ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the RA patients than those in the control group: [30.6 (0-50) vs. 21.7 (0-50), pg/mL; <i>P</i>&lt;0.001]. Higher plasma ET-1 concentrations were significantly associated with smoking (r 0.29; p&lt;0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our data shows a significant difference in the concentration of serum ET-1 between RA patients and controls. We report significant positive association between serum levels of ET-1 and smoking status. <h3>References</h3> [1] Gibofsky A. Overview of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Manag Care. 2012; 18(13): S295-302. [2] Castañeda S, Nurmohamed MT, González-Gay MA. Cardiovascular disease in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2016; 30(5):851-869. [3] Kowalczyk A, Kleniewska P, Kolodziejczyk M, Skibska B, Goraca A. The Role of Endothelin-1 and Endothelin Receptor Antagonists in Inflammatory Response and Sepsis. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 2015; 63:41–52. [4] Mayes MD. Endothelin and endothelin receptor antagonists in systemic rheumatic disease. Arthritis Rheum. 2003; 48: 1190–1199. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Antonio Alvarez de Cienfuegos : None declared, Lucia Cantero-Nieto: None declared, José Alberto García-Gómez: None declared, Gema Robledo: None declared, Javier Martin Ibanez: None declared, Raquel Ríos Fernández: None declared, Miguel A González-Gay Grant/research support from: Prof. MA Gonzalez-Gay received grants/research supports from Abbvie, MSD, Jansen and Roche., Speakers bureau: Consultation fees/participation in company sponsored speaker's bureau from Pfizer, Lilly, Sobi, Celgene, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi., Norberto Ortego: None declared