非酒精性脂肪性肝合并2型糖尿病患者血清chemerin水平变化及其相关性分析

目的:探讨非酒精性脂肪性肝(NAFLD)合并2型糖尿病患者血清chemerin水平变化及其相关性,为其临床诊治提供参考。方法:选择河北医科大学附属秦皇岛市第一医院收治的NAFLD和2型糖尿病患者作为研究对象,其中NAFLD合并2型糖尿病患者100例(A组),单纯NAFLD患者100例(B组),单纯2型糖尿病患者100例(C组),并选取同期来该院检查的100例健康人作为对照组。比较各组患者的血清chemerin、空腹血糖、胰岛素水平、肝功能、炎症因子、应激反应指标以及胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)差异,分析血清chemerin水平与各项指标的相关性。结果:按照A组、B组、C组以及对照组的顺序,患者血清chemerin、谷氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、丙二醛(MDA)、空腹血糖、胰岛素及HOMA-IR水平逐渐降低,而血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH)水平逐渐升高,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析,血清chemerin水平与血清ALT、AST、MDA、CRP、TNF-α、空腹血糖、胰岛素水平及HOMA-IR水平呈现正相关,与SOD、GSH水平呈现负相关(P0.05)。结论:血清chemerin水平可通过对胰岛素抵抗、应激反应以及炎症反应等机制进行调节,参与NAFLD合并2型糖尿病的发生以及发展,并具有较好的相关性,可为NAFLD合并2型糖尿病患者的临床治疗提供新的突破点。     

罗格列酮对2型糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征患者血清TGF-β1及IL-1β 的影响

目的:观察罗格列酮对2型糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征患者血清转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)及白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的影响。方法:116例2型糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征患者,随机分为罗格列酮治疗组(n=58)和常规治疗组(n=58)。检测两组患者治疗前后空腹血糖、血脂及血清TGF-β1、IL-1β的变化。结果:治疗前两组患者空腹血糖、血脂及血清TGF-β1、IL-1β的水平无显著差异(P>0.05);治疗4月后,两组患者空腹血糖、血脂无显著差异,血清IL-1β较治疗前下降(P<0.01),罗格列酮组较常规治疗组下降明显,两组间差异显著(P<0.05);治疗后血清TGF-β1较治疗前上升(P<0.05),罗格列酮组与常规治疗组比较,差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:罗格列酮能调控糖尿病合并急性冠脉综合征患者炎症介质和抗炎因子的分泌,可能具有改善动脉粥样硬化的作用。     

早期非小细胞肺癌患者血清巨噬细胞抑制因子-1、趋化素与临床病理特征及预后的关系

目的:探讨早期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者血清巨噬细胞抑制因子-1(MIC-1)、趋化素(chemerin)水平与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法:选择72例NSCLC患者(NSCLC组)、53例肺良性疾病患者(良性组)、50例体检健康人群(对照组),分别检测血清MIC-1、chemerin水平,分析血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者临床病理参数的关系。Kaplan-Meier法分析不同血清MIC-1、chemerin水平NSCLC患者生存时间的差异,COX比例风险回归分析血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者预后的关系。结果:NSCLC组患者血清MIC-1、chemerin水平高于良性组和对照组(P0.05)。血清MIC-1水平与NSCLC患者年龄、目前吸烟、肿瘤直径、TNM分期、分化程度、复发或转移、生存状态有关(P0.05),chemerin水平与NSCLC患者目前吸烟、TNM分期、复发或转移、生存状态有关(P0.05)。高MIC-1水平患者生存率低于低MIC-1水平患者(P0.05),高chemerin水平患者生存率低于低chemerin水平患者(P0.05)。COX比例风险回归分析结果显示:血清MIC-1、chemerin、TNM分期与NSCLC不良预后独立相关。结论:血清MIC-1、chemerin水平与NSCLC患者部分临床病理参数和预后相关,可作为早期NSCLC患者预后预测的潜在指标。     

中、重度牙周炎与冠心病患者白细胞介素17 及血脂水平的比较

目的:研究汉族人群中、重度牙周炎与冠心病的相关性并初步探讨白细胞介素17在二者相关性中的可能作用。方法:检测和分析40名健康者(健康组)、40例中、重度牙周炎患者(牙周炎组)、28例冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者(冠心病组)及47例患冠心病伴中、重度牙周炎的患者(冠心病+牙周炎组)血清白细胞介素17水平、血脂水平(血清低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白、胆固醇、总胆固醇和甘油三酯)和牙周临床指数(附着丧失、探诊深度和探诊出血)。结果:单因素方差分析结果显示,健康组、牙周炎组、冠心病组及牙周炎+冠心病组的血清白细胞介素17水平分别为(13.01±1.23)、(24.45±2.13)、(59.90±2.23)和(68.87±3.43)ng/L,各组血清白细胞介素17间的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),且经协方差分析校正年龄、受教育状况、血压和体重指数后显示,各组血清白细胞介素17水平间的差异仍具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多元Logistic回归分析结果显示,中、重度牙周炎患者发生冠心病的可能性高于牙周健康者,其发生冠心病的相对风险率比值比为2.416(P=0.039;95%CI:1.126-6.659)。经协方差分析校正年龄、受教育状况、血压和体重指数后,各组血清总胆固醇水平间差异仍具有统计学意义(P=0.018)。结论:严重的牙周感染可能通过改变白细胞介素17水平,影响全身炎症反应和冠心病的发生及发展,可能是冠心病事件的危险因素之一。     

冠心病合并代谢综合征患者的冠状动脉病变特点及与 代谢综合征组分的相关性研究

目的:探讨冠心病合并代谢综合征(metabolic syndrome,MS)患者的冠脉病变特点及冠心病与MS各组分的相关性。方法:选取540例冠心病患者为研究对象,其中合并MS患者164例,非合并MS患者376例,并将所有患者根据MS的组分个数进行分组,比较冠心病合并MS的病变特点、MS组分个数对冠状动脉病变程度的影响及冠状动脉病变程度与代谢综合症各组分的相关性;结果:①冠心病合并MS组BMI、FBG、TG、LDL-C、TC、UA、FIB、高血压分级等指标较非MS组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),HDL-C、LVEF较非MS组低,差异有显著性(P<0.01);②MS组冠脉Gensini积分较高,三支病变、主干病变发生率高,差异有显著性(P<0.01);③随着合并MS组分个数的增加,冠脉Gensini积分也逐渐增加,各组间比较有显著性差异(P<0.01);④冠脉Gensini积分与MS组分BMI、高血压分级、TG、TC、LDL-C、UA等指标存在正相关(P<0.05),与性别、HDL-C存在负相关(p<0.01);调整传统危险因素后,Gensini积分与MS的组分数显著相关(r=0.739、P<0.01)。结论:冠心病患者有较高的MS患病率,冠心病合并MS患者冠脉病变程度更重,且以多支病变、主干病变为主;随着合并MS组分个数的增加,冠脉病变程度也呈加重趋势;MS的各个组分均与冠状动脉病变程度显著相关,可以作为冠心病严重程度的预测指标。     

冠脉搭桥术后患者肠道菌群变化与免疫失衡的关系及对预后评估价值CSCD

目的 探究冠脉搭桥术后患者肠道菌群变化与免疫失衡的关系及对预后评估的价值,为冠心病患者的治疗和预后评估提供新思路。方法 回顾性分析2019年1月至2022年2月我院收治的88例冠脉搭桥术后冠心病患者。根据患者1年内是否发生主要不良心脏事件划分为短期预后良好组（n=70）和短期预后不良组（n=18）。对比两组患者肠道菌群丰度,血清氧化三甲胺（TMAO）、乙酸、丙酸及丁酸等肠道菌群代谢产物水平,血清白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平。通过相关性分析和二元Logistic回归分析筛选患者预后不良的危险因素,通过受试者工作曲线及曲线下面积（AUC）评价各危险因素的预测价值。结果 短期预后不良组患者粪便肠杆菌属和埃希菌属的丰度以及血清TMAO、乙酸、 IL-6、 MCP-1、 TNF-α的水平均显著高于短期预后良好组患者（t=3.325、2.366、3.643、3.050、3.147、2.847、4.220,均P<0.05）。相关性分析和二元Logistic回归分析表明血清TMAO、 IL-6及TNF-α水平升高均是患者不良预后的独立危险因素（OR=1.769、 1.312、 1.532,均P<0.05）。各独立危险因素对于患者预后不良均具有较高预测效能,其中血清TMAO、IL-6及TNF-α三者联合的预测价值最高（AUC=0.883,P<0.05）。结论 不同预后的冠脉搭桥术后患者肠道菌群丰度、肠道菌群代谢产物及免疫炎症因子水平均存在一定差异,其中TMAO、IL-6及TNF-α对患者不良预后具有较高预测价值,对于更好地评价冠脉搭桥术后患者预后具有一定临床价值。     

2型糖尿病大血管病变患者血清趋化素与hs-CRP的相关性

目的:观察2型糖尿病(type2 diabetes mellitus,T2DM)大血管病变患者血清趋化素(chemerin)和超敏C-反应蛋白(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)的水平及其相关性。方法:选择我院2013年4月至2015年4月收治的T2DM患者60例,根据患者血管病变情况分为糖尿病大血管病变组和单纯糖尿病组,每组30例。另选择同期来我院体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组。检测三组血清chemerin和hs-CRP水平并分析。结果:糖尿病大血管病变组和单纯糖尿病组血清chemerin和hs-CRP水平均显著高于对照组(P0.05);糖尿病大血管病变组血清chemerin和hs-CRP水平均显著高于单纯糖尿病组(P0.05);糖尿病大血管病变组血清chemerin与hs-CRP呈正相关(r=0.451,P0.05)。结论:T2DM大血管病变患者血清chemerin水平显著增高,血清chemerin水平与炎症指标hs-CRP存在正相关,chemerin可能通过介导炎症在T2DM大血管病变过程中发挥作用。     

冠心病患者介入治疗前后血清IL-18、sCD40L 和hs-CRP 水平的 变化及其意义

目的:探讨冠心病患者血清白介素18(Interleukin-18,IL-18)、白细胞分化抗原40配体(CD40L)、及高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平在经皮冠状动脉介入术治疗前后的变化和意义。方法:选择经冠状动脉造影确诊的冠心病患者85例,根据病变程度分为单支病变组(n=32)、双支病变组(n=28)和多支病变组(n=25),采用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定PCI术前术后血清IL-18、CD40L和hs-CRP水平。结果:血清IL-18水平测定结果:多支病变组高于双支病变组,双支病变组高于单支病变组;支架置入术后显著高于术前,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。血清CD40L水平测定结果:多支病变组高于双支病变组和单支病变组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),双支病变组与单支病变组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);支架置入术后较术前显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。血清hs-CRP水平测定结果:多支病变组高于双支病变组,双支病变组高于单支病变组;支架置入术后显著高于术前,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:冠心病患者血清IL-18、CD40L和hs-CRP与冠脉病变程度密切相关,介入治疗可使冠心病患者血清IL-18、CD40L和hs-CRP水平升高,监测血清中IL-18、CD40L和hs-CRP水平变化可了解治疗效果和炎症程度。     

冠心病合并高血压患者左室质量指数与冠脉病变严重程度的相关性分析

目的:探讨冠心病合并高血压患者左室质量指数(LVMI)与冠脉病变严重程度的相关性。方法:选取在我院住院的冠心病合并高血压患者168例为研究对象,所有患者入院后均行心脏超声检查,按照LVMI水平的中位数将患者分为A组(LVMI≥115.71g/m~2,n=82例)和B组(LVMI115.71g/m~2,n=86例);比较两组的实验室检查指标与冠脉病变支数及Gensini积分差异。利用多元线性回归方程分析影响Gensini积分的相关因素。结果:与B组比较,A组患者收缩压(SBP)、甘油三酯(TG)、B型脑钠肽(BNP)、血清肌酐(Scr)较高(P0.05);A组中Gensini积分亦高于B组(P0.05),三支病变的比例高于B组(P0.05);Gensini积分高分组LVMI高于中分组及低分组(P0.05),中分组高于低分组(P0.05);Pearson相关性分析显示:Gensini积分与LVMI呈现正相关(P0.05),亦与SBP、TG、Scr、BNP呈正相关(P0.05);多元线性回归分析显示:LVMI是Gensini积分增高的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:冠心病合并高血压患者LVMI增高与冠脉病变严重程度具有一定正相关性,可能是影响患者冠脉病变严重程度的独立危险因素。     

不同病情冠心病患者血清心型脂肪酸结合蛋白与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的关系分析

目的:探讨不同病情冠心病患者血清心型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的关系。方法:选择内蒙古科技大学包头医学院第一附属医院老年科收治的冠心病患者60例,其中稳定型心绞痛(SAP)和急性冠脉综合征(ACS)各30例,根据冠状动脉病变支数将患者分为单支病变组19例、双支病变组19例和多支病变组22例;根据患者冠状动脉血管狭窄程度分为轻度病变组22例、中度病变组17例和重度病变组21例,选择同期健康体检者30例作为对照组。比较各组颈动脉IMT及血清H-FABP水平,并分析其相关性。结果:ACS组颈动脉IMT及血清H-FABP水平显著高于SAP组和对照组,SAP组颈动脉IMT及血清H-FABP水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。不同冠状动脉病变支数、病变程度冠心病患者颈动脉IMT及血清H-FABP水平整体比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),多支病变组和双支病变组血清H-FABP水平比较无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Spearman相关分析显示,冠心病患者血清H-FABP水平与颈动脉IMT呈正相关(r=0.754,P<0.05)。结论:冠心病患者血清H-FABP水平与颈动脉IMT异常升高,其水平随冠状动脉病变程度加重而升高,且两者呈正相关。     

Serum omentin-1 levels are inversely associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with metabolic syndrome

Context: Omentin-1, an adipokine secreted from visceral adipose tissue, has been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and metabolic disorders.

Objective: To clarify the relationship between serum omentin-1 levels and the presence and severity of CAD in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: We measured serum omentin-1 levels in 175 consecutive patients with MetS and in 46 controls.

Results: Serum omentin-1 levels are inversely associated with the presence and angiographic severity of CAD in MetS patients.

Conclusions: Serum omentin-1 might be a potential biomarker to predict the development and progression of CAD in MetS patients.     

Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents: A possible immune-metabolic link

BackgroundToxoplasmosis as a global disease is considered as a triggering factor responsible for development of several clinical diseases. However, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an understudied parasite of potential interest in obesity research. The current study aimed to explore the role of latent T. gondii infection in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese adolescents through studying the relationship between serum interferon-gamma [IFN-γ] and serum chemerin in context of MetS components.MethodsEighty-three obese adolescents were serologically screened for T. gondii-IgG antibodies and compared to 35 age-matched healthy T. gondii-seronegative controls. Participants were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, total-fat mass [FM], trunk-FM, serum lipid profile, IFN-γ, and chemerin levels. Homeostatic Model Assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was significantly higher within obese T. gondii-seropositive group compared to obese T. gondii-seronegative group (P = 0.033). Seropositive obese MetS group displayed significantly higher trunk-FM, HOMA-IR, chemerin, and IFN-γ compared to seronegative obese MetS group. Serum chemerin and IFN-γ were strongly correlated (P < 0.001) and were positively correlated with BMI, WC, total-FM, trunk-FM, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides and negatively correlated with HDLC. HOMA-IR was a common predictor for serum chemerin (P = 0.030) and IFN-γ (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe study results suggest that T. gondii infection may exert an immune-metabolic effect that may have a potential role in the development of MetS among obese adolescents.     

Elevated levels of serum chemerin in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Context: Chemerin is implicated to be correlated with obesity and inflammation.

Objective: This study aims to investigate whether serum chemerin is associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: A total of 132 patients with OSAS and 108 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

Results: Serum chemerin levels were significantly elevated in OSAS patients (120.93 ± 25.84 µg/L vs. 107.51 ± 20.41 µg/L). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that serum chemerin levels were an independent determinant of the presence of OSAS (OR 1.030, 95% CI 1.016–1.045; p < 0.001). Serum chemerin levels in severe OSAS patients were significantly higher compared with those in mild and moderate OSAS patients (p = 0.015 and p = 0.020, respectively). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that serum chemerin levels were correlated with the severity of OSAS (r = 0.210, p = 0.016). Serum chemerin were positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.164, p = 0.008), body mass index (r = 0.158, p = 0.014), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.135, p = 0.037), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.140, p = 0.031), C-reactive protein (r = 0.202, p = 0.002), and apnea–hypopnea index (r = 0.152, p = 0.022).

Conclusion: Elevated serum chemerin levels could be an independent predicting marker of the presence and severity of OSAS.     

Chemerin and adiponectin contribute reciprocally to metabolic syndrome

Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are considered chronic inflammatory states. Chemerin, a novel adipokine, may play an important role in linking MetS and inflammation. We investigated the association of chemerin with inflammatory markers and with characteristics of MetS in apparently healthy overweight and obese adults. We studied 92 adults; 59 men and 33 women whose average body mass index (BMI) was 28.15 ± 5.08 kg/m(2). Anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance indices, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), adiponectin, and chemerin were measured. Controlling for age, gender, and BMI, serum chemerin level was positively correlated with body fat and serum triglyceride, and negatively correlated with adiponectin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL- C), and was not correlated with altered hsCRP or PTX3 levels. Among the low, moderate and high chemerin groups, high chemerin individuals are more likely to have lower HDL-C. Conversely, individuals in the low adiponectin group are more likely to have lower HDL-C and show more MetS phenotypic traits than moderate and high adiponectin subjects. To determine the relationships of chemerin and adiponectin to MetS and its components, participants were stratified into four groups based on their chemerin and adiponectin levels (high chemerin/high adiponectin, high chemerin/low adiponectin, low chemerin/high adiponectin, or low chemerin/low adiponectin). Participants who were in the high chemerin/low adiponectin group more likely to have dyslipidemia and MetS (OR: 5.79, 95% CI:1.00-33.70) compared to the other three group. Our findings suggest that chemerin and adiponectin may reciprocally participate in the development of MetS.     

Activated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in patients with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is correlated with the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), but the underlying mechanism still remains elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the HPA axis function in patients with MetS. This case-control study included 159 people. They were divided into 2 groups. The first group included 73 healthy volunteers (control group: 19 males, 54 females, mean±SD: 49.9±7.5 years old, with BMI: 27.9±4.42?kg/m2) and the second group included 86 patients with MetS (case group: 48 males, 38 females, mean±SD: 52.2±7.6 years old, with BMI: 30.5±5.35?kg/m2). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for all subjects after a 12-h overnight fast, and blood samples were obtained for determination of ACTH, cortisol, insulin, C-peptide, and glucose levels. Serum cortisol after an overnight dexamethasone suppression test was determined in both groups. Patients with MetS had serum cortisol levels after an overnight dexamethasone suppression test significantly higher than controls. During OGTT plasma ACTH levels were higher at all time points in patients with MetS compared to controls, whereas serum cortisol levels were comparable between the 2 groups. Plasma ACTH during OGTT was also correlated with most of the components of MetS. The HPA axis in patients with MetS seems to be more active as evidenced by the higher cortisol levels after the overnight dexamethasone suppression test and by the higher ACTH levels during OGTT. This functional hypercortisolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.     

Serum Metrnl is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Meteorin‐like (Metrnl) is a novel adipokine that is highly expressed in white adipose tissue. Metrnl stimulates energy expenditure and improves glucose tolerance in rodents. However, whether Metrnl plays a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the association of serum Metrnl with CAD in Chinese patients. A total of 193 patients with CAD and 156 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum Metrnl concentration was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Anthropometric phenotypes, fasting glucose, serum lipids, and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Serum Metrnl was lower in CAD patients when compared to those controls (132.41 vs 173.17 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Serum Metrnl was negatively correlated with metabolic parameters, including body mass index, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as inflammatory markers including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, IL‐1β, and IL‐11 even after adjustment for potential confounding variables (P < 0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, compared to those in the highest tertile of serum Metrnl levels, subjects in the lowest tertile had the highest risks for CAD (adjusted OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.46‐4.27, P = 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, serum Metrnl was also decreased as the number of stenosed vessels increased (P < 0.001). Furthermore, decreased Metrnl level was negatively correlated with the severity of CAD quantified by the Gensini score. This first case‐control study shows significant associations of serum Metrnl with the presence and severity of CAD, suggesting Metrnl might be a new promising therapeutic target for CAD.     

Serum Chemerin Concentrations Associate with Beta-Cell Function,but Not with Insulin Resistance in Individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

The novel adipokine chemerin has been related to insulin-resistant states such as obesity and non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its association with insulin resistance and beta cell function remains controversial. The main objective was to examine whether serum chemerin levels associate with insulin sensitivity and beta cell function independently of body mass index (BMI), by studying consecutive outpatients of the hepatology clinics of a European university hospital. Individuals (n=196) with NAFLD were stratified into persons with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n=110), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n=51) and type 2 diabetes (T2D; n=35) and the association between serum chemerin and measures of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function as assessed during fasting and during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was measured. Our results showed that serum chemerin positively associated with BMI (P=0.0007) and C peptide during OGTT (P<0.004), but not with circulating glucose, insulin, lipids or liver enzymes (all P>0.18). No BMI independent relationships of chemerin with fasting and OGTT derived measures of insulin sensitivity were found (P>0.5). Chemerin associated positively with fasting beta cell function as well as the OGTT derived insulinogenic index IGI_cp and the adaptation index after adjustment for age, sex and BMI (P=0.002-0.007), and inversely with the insulin/C peptide ratio (P=0.007). Serum chemerin neither related to the insulinogenic index IGI_ins nor the disposition index. In conclusion, circulating chemerin is likely linked to enhanced beta cell function but not to insulin sensitivity in patients with NAFLD.     

Serum levels of the adipokine chemerin are increased in preeclampsia during and 6 months after pregnancy

Preeclampsia is a serious cardiovascular complication in pregnancy which is associated with an increased future metabolic and cardiovascular risk for mother and newborn. Recently, chemerin was introduced as a novel adipokine inducing insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we investigated serum concentrations of chemerin by ELISA in control and preeclampsia patients during pregnancy (Control: n=37, preeclampsia: n=37) and 6 months after delivery (Control: n=35, preeclampsia: n=36). Furthermore, the association between chemerin and markers of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation was studied in pregnant patients. Median maternal chemerin concentrations were significantly elevated in preeclampsia patients (249.5 [range: 123.1-366.9] μg/l) as compared to controls (204.8 [138.5-280.8] μg/l) (p<0.001). Furthermore, chemerin serum levels positively correlated with blood pressure, creatinine, free fatty acids, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), leptin, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein in univariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, TG and leptin remained independently associated with circulating chemerin. Interestingly, median chemerin concentrations 6 months after delivery remained significantly higher in former preeclampsia patients (196.0 [119.8-368.7] μg/l) as compared to controls (152.2 [102.8-216.4] μg/l). Taken together, maternal chemerin serum concentrations are significantly increased in preeclampsia during and after pregnancy. Furthermore, TG and leptin are independent predictors of circulating chemerin during pregnancy.