Increased endothelin-1 plasma levels in giant cell arteritis: a report on four patients.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that endothelin-1 is increased in giant cell arteritis.

METHODS: Interventional case series. The medical history of four patients who presented to the University Eye Clinic Basel, Switzerland, with giant cell arteritis is reported. Endothelin-1 plasma levels were measured in all patients. The relevant medical literature was reviewed.

RESULTS: All patients presented with typical histopathological signs of giant cell arteritis in the temporal artery biopsy. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased in two patients. All patients showed significantly increased endothelin-1 plasma levels, ranging between 3.13 to 4.82 pg/ml (reference value for females: 1.42 pg/ml +/- 0.28 standard deviation, for males: 1.67 pg/ml +/- 0.34 standard deviation).

CONCLUSION: The data obtained from the patients so far examined indicate that the level of circulating endothelin-1 is increased in giant cell arteritis. The clinical relevance of such an increase needs to be further evaluated.