Short CommunicationAdiponectin relation to skin changes and dyslipidemia in systemic sclerosis

ObjectivesAdiponectin was initially described as a regulator of metabolic homeostases. Further studies demonstrated its involvement in the regulation of inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatic and vascular diseases and some fibrotic processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate adiponectin in the circulation of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and characterise its potential association with skin changes and SSc-related features.MethodsSerum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 and soluble receptor for interleukin-2 (by ELISA), lipid levels, CRP (by turbidimetry), ANA (by immunofluorescence), autoantibodies of the ENA complex (by immunoblot) and urine levels of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline (by HPLC) were measured in 39 patients with SSc, and adiponectin levels were determined in 30 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Organ manifestations were recorded and skin changes were assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score.ResultsAdiponectin serum levels were similar between patients with SSc and healthy controls (median (IQR), 6.9 (5.9-9.1) vs. 7.8 (6.2-9.5) μg/ml, p = 0.670). Levels of serum (ln) adiponectin were negatively correlated with the skin score (r = −0.379, p = 0.017). Regression analysis of the relationship between adiponectin and markers of interest provided two statistically significant models: A- with explanatory variables HDL-cholesterol, skin score, disease duration, age (R2 = 0.580); and B- with CRP, skin score, age (R2 = 0.550); in order of a decreasing influence.ConclusionBased on the results of this study, it might be speculated that adiponectin plays a protective role in skin- and atherosclerosis-related changes during SSc.

► Adiponectin serum levels associate with advanced stage of skin fibrosis in SSc. ► Adiponectin might play a protective role in atherosclerosis-related changes in SSc. ► Adiponectin serum levels are comparable in healthy controls and patients with SSc.