Adiposity Measures and Plasma Adipokines in Females with Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between adipokines and adiposity in individuals with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis in the Atlantic PATH cohort. Using a nested case-control analysis, participants in the Atlantic PATH cohort with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis were matched for measures of adiposity with participants without a history of arthritis. Both measured and self-reported data were used to examine disease status, adiposity, and lifestyle factors. Immunoassays were used to measure plasma markers. BMI was positively correlated with percentage body fat, fat mass index (FMI), and a change in BMI from 18 years of age in all 3 groups. There were no statistical differences between levels of plasma adipokines; adiponectin levels were 6.6, 7.9, and 8.2 μg/ml, leptin levels were 10.3, 13.7, and 11.5 ng/ml, and resistin levels were 10.0, 12.1, and 10.8 ng/ml in participants without arthritis, with rheumatoid arthritis, and with osteoarthritis, respectively. Those with higher levels of adiponectin were more likely to have osteoarthritis (but not rheumatoid arthritis). No association was found between arthritis types and leptin or resistin. This study demonstrates differences in measures of adiposity and adipokines in specific types of arthritis and highlights the need for more research targeting specific adipokines during arthritic disease progression.

An Update on the Emerging Role of Resistin on the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis

“…Only a few articles have reported that serum resistin levels do not significantly differ among RA and OA patients and those without arthritis (12.1, 10.8, and 10.0 ng/mL, respectively) [57]. Similarly, a single case-control study has also shown that no statistical differences were found between knee OA groups (9.8 ± 0.8 ng/mL, N = 50) and healthy subjects (10.7 ± 0.7 ng/mL, N = 50) [46].…”

Adiponectin Deregulation in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

“…A meta-analysis from 2017 (12 studies, RA n = 784, healthy controls (HCs) n = 655) revealed that circulating adiponectin levels are significantly higher in RA patients than in HCs (SMD = 1.5) [ 7 ]. Several additional studies published later (RA n = 168, HC n = 90) showed a similar trend [ 26 , 27 , 28 ] and some found no difference (RA n = 131, HC n = 131) [ 29 , 30 ], while one study reported lower levels (RA n = 95, HC n = 95) [ 31 ]. However, adiponectin levels were not changed between RA ( n = 820) and osteoarthritis or undifferentiated arthritis controls ( n = 298), [ 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

The Role of Leptin and Adiponectin in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…The results of several studies revealed significantly increased adiponectin in the circulation of RA patients compared to healthy control population (70)(71)(72). On the contrary, some studies found no difference (73), while one study showed even lower blood concentration of adiponectin in RA patients, compared to the control group (74). However, Lee and Bae (2017) conducted a meta-analysis that confirmed significantly elevated circulating adiponectin levels in RA patients compared to healthy subjects (75).…”

“…Lee et al ( 2018) [74] To assess the association between circulating adiponectin and visfatin levels and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to establish a correlation between serum adipokine levels and RA activity.…”