L YMPHOCYTE C ERULOPLASMIN AND B EHÇET ' S D ISEASE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Behcet’s disease (BD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. Ho-wever, it has been postulated that a dysregulation of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance may be impor-tant to its pathogenesis. Ceruloplasmin (CP) is an acute phase protein expressed at the surface of periphe-ral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with antioxidant properties and with a relevant role in iron (Fe) metabolism. Objectives : To study CP expression at the surface of PBL (PBLCP) in patients with BD. Material and Methods : We measured serum CP and PBLCP obtained from BD patients (n=10) and res-pective controls (n=10) using nephelometry and flow cytometry techniques, respectively. Additionally,haematological parameters, biochemical Fe metabolism markers [serum Fe, serum ferritin, serum trans-ferrin, total Fe binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation] and non-specific markers of inflammation[serum C reactive protein (CRP), β 2 -microglobulin] were measured in all individuals.