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

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 (C VD) 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. (First Release Dec 15 2008; J Rheumatol 2009;36:295-7; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.080503)