A New Diagnostic Biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Endocan Level

Demirdöğen F., Bilge N., Yevgi R.

Advances in Clinical Medicine and Evidence-based Science, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.23-28, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

ABSTRACT Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease affecting the human central nervous system. Many molecules are involved in its pathophysiology and help determine prognosis. The goal of this study was to determine serum endocan levels in patients with inactive MS. Methods: A total of 96 participants were included in the study; 48 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (mean age: 37.46±12.53, 20 men/28 women) and 48 controls (mean age: 38.22±18.57, 22 men/26 women). After the samples were thawed under appropriate conditions, serum endocan levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between endocan levels and the Expanded Disability Status Scale, demographic characteristics and medications were analyzed. Results: The endocan concentration was 371.04±67.39 ng/l in patients with MS and 1003.78±110.63 ng/l in the controls. Patients with MS had significantly lower levels of endocan than the controls did (P=.003). Endokan had the lowest diagnostic value (AUC=0.67, (95% CI, 0.56-0.78) as the cut-off value (229.50), sensitivity (63.04%) and specifity (39.13%) in the MS group. In this study, no significant differences were detected between Endocan and the other clinical parameters. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, compared withthose in healthy patients, endocan levels in MS patients were lower. It was concluded that the edokan level can be used as a biomarker in MS patients. Keywords: Diagnostic biomarker, EDSS, endocan, inflammation, multiple sclerosis