Objectives
Adiponectin was initially described as a regulator of
metabolic ho
meostases. Further studies de
monstrated its involve
ment in the regulation of infla
mmatory diseases, particularly rheu
matic and vascular diseases and so
me fibrotic processes. The ai
m of this study was to evaluate adiponectin in the circulation of patients with syste
mic sclerosis (SSc) and characterise its potential association with skin changes and SSc-related features.
Methods
Serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 and soluble receptor for interleukin-2 (by ELISA), lipid levels, CRP (by turbidimetry), ANA (by immunofluorescence), autoantibodies of the ENA complex (by immunoblot) and urine levels of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline (by HPLC) were measured in 39 patients with SSc, and adiponectin levels were determined in 30 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Organ manifestations were recorded and skin changes were assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score.
Results
Adiponectin serum levels were similar between patients with SSc and healthy controls (median (IQR), 6.9 (5.9-9.1) vs. 7.8 (6.2-9.5) 渭g/ml, m>pm> = 0.670). Levels of serum (ln) adiponectin were negatively correlated with the skin score (m>rm> = 鈭?.379, m>pm> = 0.017). Regression analysis of the relationship between adiponectin and markers of interest provided two statistically significant models: A- with explanatory variables HDL-cholesterol, skin score, disease duration, age (m>Rm>2 = 0.580); and B- with CRP, skin score, age (m>Rm>2 = 0.550); in order of a decreasing influence.
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, it might be speculated that adiponectin plays a protective role in skin- and atherosclerosis-related changes during SSc.