Circulating cytokines in relation to bone mineral density changes in patients with acromegaly.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated cytokines levels were observed as a marker of increased bone resorption in certain diseases. The aim was to assess serum levels of selected cytokines in acromegaly, regarding to different disease's stages, gonadal function, gender and character of BMD change.


METHODS
The study was carried out in 62 patients with acromegaly (40 women, 22 men) aged 26-75 years in various stages of the disease. The controls were 30 healthy, age- and sex-matched subjects. Serum cytokines concentration was assessed using ELISA method.


RESULTS
We have shown higher (p=0.044) concentrations of TGF-beta in male patients with active acromegaly than in cured males. When the influence of all cytokines studied on BMD using multiple regression analysis was carried out, the borderline (p=0.099) statistical significance was achieved (regression coefficient B=0.68271) according to TGF-beta and trochanter major BMD. IL-6 and TNF-alpha were higher (p=0.062, and p=0.098, respectively) in these acromegalic patients, in which gain of trochanter major BMD occurred. IL-1beta levels were lower in patients with ultradistal radius and 1/3 distal radius BMD gain (p=0.007, and p=0.009, respectively). Lower TGF-beta levels (p=0.077) were shown in patients with 1/3 distal radius gain. IL-6 levels were higher in patients with total body BMD gain (p=0.059).


CONCLUSIONS
The relations between TGF-beta and acromegaly activity in men, and trochanter major BMD in both sexes were documented. Concentrations of all cytokines studied correlated with the BMD changes in different bone sites. Noteworthy is homogeneity of the secretory character of cytokines studied according to BMD changes within particular skeleton sites.
Bolanowski
Marek
M
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Therapy, Medical University Wroclaw, Poland. bolan@endo.am.wroc.pl
Daroszewski
Jacek
J
Zatonska
Katarzyna
K
Arkowska
Anna
A
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013739:Testosterone