Implication of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and serum N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine (L-NHA) in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.

In a trial to throw light on the implication of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine (L-NHA) in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis or Scleroderma, (SSc), their serum levels were estimated in twenty SSc patients using ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography respectively. In situ "local" expression of ICAM-1 in lesional skin of these patients was also assessed using biotinstreptavidin amplified detection system. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the cutaneous extension of sclerosis (Grades I; II & III).