Leptin levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ascites.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of ascites.


METHODS
Ascitic leptin, TNFalpha and serum leptin levels were measured in 77 patients with ascites (35 with malignancies, 30 cirrhosis and 12 tuberculosis). Control serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy subjects. Leptin and TNFalpha levels were measured by ELISA. Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BFM) by skin fold measurement were calculated for all patients and control groups. Peritoneal biopsy, ascites cytology and cultures or biochemical values were used for the diagnosis of patients.


RESULTS
In patients with malignancies, the mean serum and ascites leptin levels and their ratios were significantly decreased compared to the other patient groups and controls. In tuberculosis peritonitis, ascitic fluid TNFalpha levels were significantly higher than malignant ascites and cirrhotic sterile ascites. BMI and BFM values did not distinguish between patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with malignant ascites, levels of leptin and TNFalpha were significantly lower than in patients with tuberculous ascites.
Buyukberber
Mehmet
M
Department of Gastroenterology, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
Koruk
Mehmet
M
Savas
M-Cemil
MC
Gulsen
Murat-T
MT
Pehlivan
Yavuz
Y
Deveci
Rukiye
R
Sevinc
Alper
A
Gergerlioglu
Serdar
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D020738:Leptin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha