Significance of leptin and ghrelin in systemic lupus erythematosus in Koreans

BACKGROUND: There have been evidence that leptin and ghrelin play an important role in metabolism, inflammation and autoimmunity. Elevated serum leptin levels have been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however there were no information about serum leptin and ghrelin level, antagonist hormone of leptin, in patients with SLE. We have evaluated the differences of serum leptin and ghrelin levels between patients with SLE and normal controls. Also we have investigated the clinical significance of them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from SLE patients (n=70) and normal healthy controls (NC, n=39) at the Ajou university hospital. All of patients fulfilled the ACR classification criteria for SLE. Patients who had diabetes mellitus or hypertension, who were in pregnancy or who were taking more than 7.5 mg/day of prednisone were excluded. Serum leptin levels (pg/mL) and ghrelin levels (ng/mL) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The SLE patients also evaluated for clinical, laboratory parameters, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and systemic lupus international collaborative clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index (SLICC/ACR DI). RESULTS: The leptin levels of the SLE group (136.20 ± 96.77 pg/mL) were higher than those of the NC (85.70 ± 34.79 pg/mL, p value<0.05). The ghrelin levels of the SLE group (3.20 ± 0.33 ng/mL) were lower than of those of NC (3.33 ± 0.26, p value<0.05). The leptin levels were higher in SLE patients with malar rash, oral ulcer, arthritis, alopecia and lupus nephritis, however there were no statistical significance. The ghrelin levels were significantly higher in SLE patients with arthritis and hematologic disorder. A significant correlation was found between the levels of leptin and the levels of complement 3 (r=0.316, p=0.008). Any significant correlation wasn't found between the levels of ghrelin and each of disease activity markers. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that leptin and ghrelin may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE and clinical manifestations observed in SLE. But further longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the role of leptin and ghrelin in the assessment of disease activity of SLE.

Author dc:creator

• 최, 길순

Contributors dc:contributor

• 서, 창희
• 대학원 의학과
• 102891

• 전신성 홍반성 루푸스
• 렙틴
• 그렐린
• 질병 활성도
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• leptin
• ghrelin
• disease activity

Language dc:language

ko

Identifier

http://dcoll.ajou.ac.kr:9080/dcollection/jsp/common/DcLoOrgPer.jsp?sItemId=000000006669
000000006669

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.ajou.ac.kr:201003/1839