Serum adiponectin levels in patients with esophageal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate a possible relationship between serum levels of adiponectin and clinicopathological characteristics in esophageal cancer. This is the first report evaluating serum adiponectin levels in patients with esophageal cancer.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients with esophageal cancer and thirty healthy subjects were included in the study. Adiponectin levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.


RESULTS
The mean serum adiponectin level in the cancer group was significantly low compared with the adiponectin level in the healthy control group. Furthermore, adiponectin levels of the patients gradually decreased with increase in tumor stage. The patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus had significantly lower values of serum adiponectin than patients with squamous cell carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that decreased circulating adiponectin levels may play a role in the progression and/or development of esophageal cancers. However, for clinical use of serum adiponectin in terms of early diagnosis and treatment, further studies should be performed.
Yildirim
Abdulkadir
A
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk Universty, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. kadiryildirim@hotmail.com
Bilici
Mehmet
M
Cayir
Kerim
K
Yanmaz
Vefa
V
Yildirim
Serap
S
Tekin
Salim Basol
SB
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood*; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D052242:Adiponectin