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We tested the hypothesis that concentrations of adipocytokines are altered in SLE and associated
with coronary atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and inflammation. Concentrations of resistin,
leptin, adiponectin and visfatin were measured in 109 patients with SLE and 78 control subjects.
Coronary calcification was measured using electron beam-computed tomography, and insulin resistance
was defined by the homeostasis model assessment index. Concentrations of adiponectin
(28.7 ± 17.9 vs 22.0 ± 15.3 μg/mL, P = 0.003), leptin (41.1 ± 49.9 vs 19.8 ± 24.6 ng/mL,
P < 0.001) and visfatin (7.5 ± 10.5 vs 4.5 ± 2.8 ng/mL, P < 0.001) were higher in patients with
SLE than in controls. These differences remained significant after adjustment for age, race, sex
and body mass index (BMI; all P values < 0.02). Concentrations of resistin (10.7 ± 7.6 vs
9.1 ± 5.1 ng/mL, P = 0.41) did not differ in patients and controls. In patients with SLE, leptin
was positively associated with BMI ( ρ = 0.80, P < 0.001), insulin resistance (ρ = 0.46, P < 0.001)
and C-reactive protein (CRP) ( ρ = 0.30, P = 0.002), whereas adiponectin was negatively associated
with the same factors ( ρ = –0.40, P < 0.001; ρ = −0.38, P < 0.001; ρ = –0.22, P = 0.02, respectively).
None of the adipocytokines were associated with coronary atherosclerosis in SLE. In conclusion,
patients with SLE have increased concentrations of adiponectin, leptin and visfatin. Lower
concentrations of adiponectin and higher concentrations of leptin are associated with insulin resistance,
BMI and CRP in patients with SLE. Lupus (2009) 18, 799–806.
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