BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue-derived leptin and adiponectin control hunger, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, endothelial function, reproduction and immunity and are thought to play a role in autoimmune diseases. However, their role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not clearly defined. Tumour necrosis factor ΤNF-α is a potential modulator of adipocytokines. The effect of longterm anti-TNF-α treatment on plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin has not been assessed so far.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a 6-month anti-TNF-α treatment on serum leptin and adiponectin levels in AS patients.

METHODS: Thirty men with AS were included in the study. Thirty age- and weight-matched men served as controls. Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured with enzyme immunoassay methods prior to and after the 6-month treatment with infliximab.

RESULTS: Mean age and disease duration of AS patients were 40.6±13.7 and 13.4±8.4 years, respectively. At baseline, AS patients exhibited significantly higher adiponectin (15.4±8.3 vs. 8.6±4.2 μg/ml, p<0.05), but no difference in leptin levels (7.2±2.9 vs. 8.9±6.4 ng/ml, p=NS). Adipocytokines did not correlate with any disease parameter. Body weight of the patients did not change significantly over the 6-month period. Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin did not change significantly after the 6-month treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in AS patients compared with controls. Infliximab treatment did not change serum levels of leptin and adiponectin suggesting that the anti-TNF-α treatment may not modulate significantly their levels.

NBCI