Adropin Serum Levels in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients have higher prevalence of endothelial dysfunction and premature atherosclerosis. Recent studies investigated adropin, a secretory protein that can regulate lipid metabolism and insulin resistance and protect endothelial cells' function and that has an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to determine adropin levels in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. Additional goals were exploring the correlation between adropin and several metabolic and immunological parameters in pSS, including disease specific antibodies, EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Damage Index (SSDDI). This research included 52 pSS patients and 52 healthy controls. pSS patients have significantly higher adropin levels compared to the control group (3.76 +/- 0.68 vs. 3.14 +/- 0.69 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that adropin levels in pSS patients have positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.290, p = 0.036) and anti SSA/Ro52 antibodies (r = 0.307, p = 0.026) and negative correlation with SSDDI (r = -0.401, p = 0.003). Multivariant linear regression showed that adropin levels are independently associated with HDL (beta +/- SE, 0.903 +/- 0.283, p = 0.002) and SSDDI (beta +/- SE, -0.202 +/- 0.073, p = 0.008). Our findings imply that adropin could be involved in the pathophysiology of pSS, yet it remains to be elucidated in future studies whether adropin has a protective or detrimental role in this setting.

Automated summary

The study revealed that pSS patients have higher levels of adropin compared to healthy controls, with positive correlations with HDL and specific antibodies, and negative correlation with disease damage index. Multivariant linear regression showed adropin levels are independently associated with HDL and disease damage index.