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Arthritis Research & Therapy
Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy 6/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis

Authors: Hatice Yilmaz, Vedat Gerdan, Didem Kozaci, Dilek Solmaz, Servet Akar, Gercek Can, Aytac Gulcu, Yigit Goktay, Ismail Sari, Merih Birlik, Nurullah Akkoc, Fatos Onen

Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Introduction

The current markers of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment. We investigated circulating levels of unacylated and acylated ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and their relationships with disease activity in patients with TA.

Methods

This study included 31 patients with TA and 32 sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerr's criteria, disease extent index-Takayasu, physician's global assessment, radiological parameters, and laboratory markers. Plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly lower in TA patients than that in healthy controls. Patients with active disease had lower unacylated ghrelin levels than those with inactive disease and had lower acylated ghrelin levels than healthy controls. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with various parameters of disease activity. The leptin/ghrelin ratio was significantly higher in TA patients than controls. It was positively correlated with disease activity. There was a positive correlation between unacylated and acylated ghrelin and a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin. There was no statistical difference in adiponectin levels between TA patients and controls. The radiological activity markers were positively correlated with other parameters of disease activity.

Conclusions

This study suggests that plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels may be useful in monitoring disease activity and planning treatment strategies for patients with TA. The serum leptin level and leptin/ghrelin ratio may also be used to help assess the disease activity.
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Metadata
Title
Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis
Authors
Hatice Yilmaz
Vedat Gerdan
Didem Kozaci
Dilek Solmaz
Servet Akar
Gercek Can
Aytac Gulcu
Yigit Goktay
Ismail Sari
Merih Birlik
Nurullah Akkoc
Fatos Onen
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Arthritis Research & Therapy / Issue 6/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1478-6362
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/ar4120

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