Angiopoietin-2, endothelial dysfunction and renal involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Angiopoietin-2 (ang-2) that activates endothelial cells and increases vascular inflammation might have significant roles in the pathogenesis of glomerular diseases. This study aimed at assessing the level of ang-2 as a marker of renal involvement in SLE patients to elucidate its correlation with disease activity and endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: This study included 81 subjects.