Background: SLE is an autoimmune multisystem disease which results from both genetic predisposition and environmental
factors. Ghrelin polypeptide is the natural ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor exerts multiple immune
regulatory effects as well as cardiovascular, metabolic and renal effects. On the other hand it was reported that some patients
who have received recombinant human INF-
injections to treat chronic viral infections or malignancy have developed de
novo SLE which resolves with discontinuation of IFN-
therapy. Our study was conducted to evaluate levels of ghrelin and
INF-
in SLE patients, their relation to different clinical manifestations of the disease and their correlation with disease
activity markers in such patients. Methods: Fifty four SLE patients and 46 age and sex matched control healthy subjects
were included in this study. Both ghrelin hormone and INF-
were measured for all the studied groups using enzyme linked
immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. We compare serum levels between SLE patients and control subjects also serum levels
were correlated to different clinical manifestations and disease activity markers. Results: In this study we found significant
increase in ghrelin hormone level in patients with lupus nephritis (p =0,0004) also it positively correlated with SLEDAI
(p<0.0001), INF
(r=0.3 & p<0.01), ANA (p<0.0001), dsDNA (p<0.002) and LDL (p=0.03) but there was negative
correlation between ghrelin and both body weight and HDL. On the other hand there was no significant change in ghrelin
hormone level in SLE patients with mucocutaneous manifestations, articular involvement, Cerebritis, serositis, vasculitis and
constitutional symptoms. Conclusion: These data suggest the possible role for ghrelin hormone in the clinical manifestation
of SLE patients especially those with lupus nephritis as well as the synchronization of both ghrelin and INF
in the
pathogenesis of SLE and their role in disease activity. [