RESEARCH - Markers of inflammation are negatively correlated with serum leptin in RA

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Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Feb 24; [Epub ahead of print]

Markers of inflammation are negatively correlated with serum leptin in

rheumatoid arthritis.

Popa C, Netea MG, Radstake TR, van Riel PL, Barrera P, van der Meer JW.

UMC St Radboud Nijmegen, Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin regulates food-intake and plays a modulator role in

immunity and inflammation. A positive feed-back mechanism has been described

between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leptin, and leptin has been

suggested to potentiate inflammation in RA patients. The aim of this study

was to assess whether inflammation correlates with leptin concentrations in

patients with RA, and whether anti-TNF treatment modulates leptin

concentrations in these patients. METHODS: Leptin, IL-6 and CRP were

measured in the blood of 31 RA patients starting either anti-TNF therapy or

placebo (at baseline and after 2 weeks of therapy) and in 18 healthy

controls. RESULTS: In RA patients, plasma leptin concentrations at baseline

were inversely correlated with the degree of inflammation as assessed by CRP

(r(2) = 0.21, p<0.01), or IL-6 concentrations (r(2) = 0.22, p<0.008). Leptin

concentrations did not differ between RA patients and controls (5.97 + 4.55

vs. 4.22 + 2.77 ng/mL in males; 15.05 + 7.91 vs. 13.37 + 5.16 ng/mL in

females). Short-course anti-TNF therapy for 2 weeks did not modify leptin

concentrations, despite significant reduction of CRP and IL-6.

CONCLUSION: A significant inverse correlation between inflammation and

leptin concentrations was observed in active RA patients, although plasma

leptin concentrations did not significantly differ from that in healthy

controls. This suggests that active chronic inflammation may lower plasma

leptin concentrations. A short 2-weeks treatment with anti-TNF did not

influence plasma leptin concentrations and longer therapy may be needed to

see an effect on leptin.

PMID: 15731289

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5731289 & dopt=Abstract

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