Adipokines and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship with Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study concentrations of adipokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the relationship among adipokines, the metabolic syndrome (MeS), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. METHODS: We enrolled 50 SLE patients and 26 controls, all women. Leptin, resistin, visfatin, and adiponectin were measured by commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: MeS prevalence was increased among subjects with SLE. Leptin levels were higher in patients with SLE than controls. Among SLE patients, independent determinants of leptin were insulin levels (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.03), body mass index (p = 0.02), corticosteroid dosage (p = 0.02), and SLE Disease Activity Index (p = 0.005). Other adipokines did not differ between SLE patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Leptin was increased in SLE patients and could play a role in SLE-related cardiovascular diseases.