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Serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis

Clinical Rheumatology volume 39, pages 2121–2125 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granuloma which etiology is unknown yet. Adipokines are different proteins synthesized by adipose tissue that have an influence on angiogenesis, hemostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune system regulation. Adipokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.

Objectives

To evaluate the serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis and to determine a possible correlation with clinical and laboratory signs of disease.

Methods

Forty-four biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients followed at a single center and age- and sex-matched 41 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated in all patients. Routine laboratory tests (blood glucose, liver, and kidney function test) were measured. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by ELISA method.

Results

Among 44sarcoidosis patients, 13 (29.5%) were male and 31 (70.5%) were female. Twenty-one (47.7%) patients had erythema nodosum, three (6.8%) had uveitis, 40 (90.9%) had arthralgia, 32 (72.7%) had arthritis, 15 (34.1%) had enthesitis. Laboratory evaluation showed increased serum ACE level in 24 (54.5%) patients, increased serum calcium level in 11 (25%) patients, increased serum D3 level in 5 (11.4%) patients, and increased ESR and CRP levels in 22 (50%) and 23 (52.3%) patients, respectively. Compared with the control group, serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis(p = 0.007). Serum adiponectin level was associated with arthralgia and ankle joint swelling (p = 0.007, p = 0.006 respectively). Serum leptin levels were similar in sarcoidosis patients and controls (p = 0.327). There was no relationship between serum leptin level and disease features (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, high serum adiponectin level was detected in patients with sarcoidosis while serum leptin level was similar in the sarcoidosis and control group. Adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory protein, may play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Studies are needed to shed light on this topic.

Key Points
• Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease characterized by granuloma formation
• High serum adiponectin level was found in sarcoidosis patients
• Serum adiponectin level was associated with some clinical features such as arthralgia and arthritis
• High adiponectin levels in sarcoidosis patients may mitigate the inflammatory response, resulting in a mild form of the disease and/or spontaneous remission

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinic, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Senol Kobak

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey

    Huseyin Semiz

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, İzmir, Turkey

    Muhittin Akyildiz, Ayse Gokduman, Tennur Atabay & Huseyin Vural

Authors
  1. Senol Kobak
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  2. Huseyin Semiz
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  3. Muhittin Akyildiz
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  4. Ayse Gokduman
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  5. Tennur Atabay
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  6. Huseyin Vural
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Correspondence to Senol Kobak.

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Kobak, S., Semiz, H., Akyildiz, M. et al. Serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis. Clin Rheumatol 39, 2121–2125 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-020-04980-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-020-04980-1

Keywords

  • Adipokines
  • Association
  • Leptin
  • Sarcoidosis