Objectives We studied serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), ceruloplasmin (CP) and transferrin (Tf) and investigated the correlation of these parameters with the disease activity.

Methods Serum sICAM-1 levels were determined with sandwich enzime-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 42 patients with RA and in 30 healthy controls. Erythtrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined according to the Westhergen method and C-reactive protein (CRP), CP and Tf by nephelometric method. Disease activity was assessed by disease activity criterias.

Results Although decreased serum Tf level, serum levels of sICAM-1 and CP were significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls. It was found that sICAM-1 had a negative correlation with Tf (r = ?0.47, p < 0.01) and a positive correlation with CP (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). There was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between sICAM levels with Ritche articular index (RAI) score and CRP (r = 0.32, p < 0.05; r = 0.44, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas no significant correlation was observed between sICAM-1 levels with ESR, age and disease duration. There was no correlation between values of CRP, RAI and ESR with serum CP and Tf.

Conclusion These data show that the decreases in serum CP and Tf levels and increases in sICAM-1, ESR and CRP levels are present in RA, and that the decrease in serum CP and Tf levels in RA might be due to increased sICAM-1, and increased levels of sICAM-1 and correlations with other parameters may be a significant and novel marker for evaluating the disease status and the activity of RA.