The Changes of Heat Shock Protein 90 Alpha and Vitamin Levels in Pediatric Patiens with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Aim: It was aimed to compare with healthy volunteers the changes in heat shock protein (HSP) 90 alpha and vitamin levels during exacerbation and remission periods in our patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), to research whether these molecules will benefit in control of FMF exacerbation and prevention of amyloid accumulation, and also to investigate the relationship of these molecules with FMF gene mutations.

Patients and Methods: HSP 90 alpha, vitamin A, vitamin B 12, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid levels were studied in 30 patients with AAA diagnosed in our hospital's pediatric nephrology department during the exacerbation and remission periods and 30 healthy volunteers. The results were compared statistically.

Results: In our series, 19 (63.3%) of the patients were male, 11 (36.7%) were female, with a mean age of 11 years. The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain (n=19; 63.3%) after fever and only high fever was found to be present in five (16.7%) patients. The most common genetic mutation was M694V (n=14; 46.7%), whereas no mutation was detected in five (16.7%) patients. Although HSP 90 alpha was the highest in the exacerbation group and the lowest in the remission group, there was no significant difference between the groups. Vitamin B12 was significantly different between the groups and the highest value was in the control group. Vitamin D was significantly different between the exacerbation and the remission groups and the highest value was in the exacerbation group. In addition, vitamin D levels were significantly higher in boys. There was no significant difference between vitamin A, vitamin E and folic acid levels. FMF gene mutations did not affect HSP 90 alpha and vitamin levels.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that serum HSP 90 alpha, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid levels were normal in AAA, but vitamin B12 and vitamin A levels were low during exacerbation and remission. However, we think that prospective studies including larger series should be performed about the subject.