title: Serum adiponectin in chronic hepatitis C and B.
abstract: Adiponectin possesses anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherosclerotic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of serum adiponectin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C and B and correlate them with parameters exploring insulin resistance and indices of chronic liver disease. Seventy-two patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 73 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, matched for age and sex, were studied. All individuals were examined for serum concentrations of adiponectin, insulin, C-peptide and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Viral parameters and liver histology were also evaluated. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in HCV compared with HBV-infected patients. Correlation analysis in the whole group demonstrated that serum adiponectin was positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, globulins, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and staging score, while it was negatively correlated with body mass index, insulin, C-peptide and HOMA-IR. Logistic regression analysis identified type of infection (HCV vs HBV), alcohol consumption more than 25 g daily, serum total globulin and low C-peptide as significant predictive variables associated with high adiponectin levels. Higher levels of serum adiponectin in HCV compared with HBV patients could have a role in the slower disease progression of chronic HCV infection. In addition, alcohol intake more than 25 g daily seems to be a significant predictor for hyperadiponectinaemia in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C or B. Finally, in this study, a clear positive association between adiponectin and hepatic necroinflammation or staging score was not found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece. dsiagris@altecnet.gr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siagris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vafiadis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalaki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lekkou
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Starakis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makri
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Margaritis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christofidou
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tsamandas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Labropoulou-Karatza
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005916:Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005916:Globulins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase