Background/Purpose: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from samples analyzed for lipoproteins also contain a peak (termed GlycA) resulting from glycosylated proteins.  GlycA is not only a novel marker of inflammation but was also associated with coronary heart disease in the MESA study.   Little is known about GlycA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that GlycA concentrations were elevated in patients with SLE and associated with other markers of inflammation.

Methods: We compared concentrations of GlycA in 116 patients with SLE and 83 control subjects, frequency-matched for age, sex, and race. GlycA was detected by NMR, as a signal from methyl group protons on the carbohydrate portions of glycosylated proteins. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the SLE Collaborating Clinics damage index (SLICC) were calculated. Acute phase reactants [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were measured using standard methods by the hospital clinical laboratory and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using a Lincoplex ELISA assays.     

Results: Patients with SLE had higher concentrations of GlycA [398 (350-445) µmol/L] than control subjects [338 (298-393) µmol/L, p<0.001]. In patients with SLE, concentrations of GlycA were significantly associated with ESR, CRP, IL-6, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. (Table) 

Table: Association of GlycA with disease characteristics

	Rho	P
ESR	0.43	<0.001
CRP	0.59	<0.001
IL-6	0.27	0.003
Systolic blood pressure	0.23	0.01
Diastolic blood pressure	0.21	0.02
SLEDAI	0.15	0.11
SLICC Damage Index	0.02	0.83

Conclusion: Concentrations of GlycA are higher in patients with SLE than control subjects and are associated with markers of inflammation and blood pressure, but not with SLE disease activity/chronicity scores.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/a-novel-nmr-biomarker-of-inflammation-glyca-is-elevated-in-systemic-lupus-erythematosus/