Serum levels and mesenteric fat tissue expression of adiponectin and leptin in patients with Crohn's disease

Abstract

SummaryCrohn's disease (CD) is characterized by inflammation and an aetiology that is still unknown. Hypertrophy of mesenteric fat is a reflection of disease activity, as this fat covers the entire length of the affected area. Adipocytes synthesize leptin and adiponectin, adipocytokines responsible for pro-and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we evaluated serum levels of adiponectin and leptin, as well as mesenteral expression of adiponectin in active CD and those in remission. Sixteen patients with ileocaecal CD followed at the Outpatient Clinic, Coloproctology Unit of University of Campinas Clinical Hospital, participated in the study. Analysis of serum adiponectin and leptin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed in patients with active CD (ACD group), remission CD (RCD group) and in six healthy controls. Ten patients with active ileocaecal CD (FCD group) and eight patients with non-inflammatory disease selected for surgery were also studied. The specimens were snap-frozen and the expression of adiponectin was determined by immunoblot of protein extracts. Serum C-reactive protein levels were higher in the ACD group when compared to the others and no difference of body mass index was observed between the groups. Serum adiponectin was lower in the ACD group when compared to control, but no differences were seen when comparing the ACD and RCD groups. Mesenteric adiponectin expression was lower in the FCD group when compared to the FC group. Serum leptin was similar in all groups. The lower levels of serum and mesenteric adiponectin in active CD suggest a defective regulation of anti-inflammatory pathways in CD pathogenesis.

Gastroduodenal Symptoms in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are Correlated with Gastric Emptying and Serum Levels of Active Ghrelin

“…The literature demonstrated that the increase in leptin was correlated with serum concentrations of IL-1b, cytokines, IL-6, and TNF-α, and that leptin may serve as a marker of active inflammation in IBD [20]. These elevated levels of leptin may be due to mesenteric fat hypertrophy, which is a reflection of disease activity, as this fat covers the entire affected area [21]. The relationship between increase in serum leptin level and presence of GD symptoms had been evaluated by Lankarani et al [9] in FD patients.…”

Association of Adiponectin Receptor (Adipo-R1/-R2) Expression and Colorectal Cancer

“…Talat Ayyildiz 1 *, Enver Dolar 2 , Nesrin Ugras 3 , Saduman Balaban Adim 3 , Omer Yerci 3 2011; Rodrigues et al, 2012). Adiponectin has been shown to demonstrate antitumor activity by suppressing tumor neoangiogenesis (Brakenhielm et al, 2004).…”

The Role of Mesenteric Adipose Tissue in Crohn’s Disease

“…Histological characteristics of the MAT in CD with reduced adipocyte size independent of the weight body have also been reported [17,18]. However, humoral and cellular changes in this adipose tissue are specific and differ from those observed in hypertrophied fat tissue of obese patients.…”

“…However, Rodrigues and collaborators obtained low levels of serum and mesenteric adiponectin in MAT of CD, which suggests a defect in this anti-inflammatory pathway, which could in turn help to perpetuate a state of chronic inflammation [17]. Interestingly, all patients had the same BMI, below 25, and this alteration was independent of this parameter and of the presence of metabolic disorders.…”

“…Considering the microscopic appearance of the MAT in CD, the histopathology shows immune cell infiltration, and the adipocytes are smaller (lower mean area and perimeter) than the controls, displaying an intriguing feature [17]. To investigate this morphological feature, apoptosis was studied in these tissues.…”