The role of endothelin-1 and selected cytokines in the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon associated with systemic connective tissue diseases.

Aim: In the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon humoral and immunoinflammatory agents are involved. The aim of this study was the assessment of the level of endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6sR), von Willebrand's factor (vWF) and platelet factor 4 (PF-4) in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon associated with systemic connective tissue diseases.

Methods: The examined group consisted of 32 patients (24 women and 8 men) with Raynaud's phenomenon associated with selected connective tissue diseases, aged 28-50 years.

[The Raynaud's phenomenon: still current clinical problem].

Cardinal pathological mechanisms responsible for initiation and development of the Raynaud's phenomenon have been presented according to the current data from literature. The role of endothelin-1, cytokins and growth factor in pathophysiology of this phenomenon have been highlighted. According to own observations randomised results of investigation in these patients have shown that basic disease stimulate the development of the vasomotoric disturbances: idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon and Raynaud's phenomenon which accompany connective tissue disease.

[Selected problems of endothelial functions. I. The role of endothelium in maintaining the hematological and circulatory balance].

Based on literary data we carried out the analysis of the influence vascular endothelium on maintaining the haematological and circulatory balance in the organism. Particular attention was paid on its active metabolic and secretory role in this process.