title: Adiponectin expression is decreased in the involved skin and sera of diffuse cutaneous scleroderma patients.
abstract: In this study, we determined the adiponectin expression in the serum and lesional skin of patients with scleroderma (SSc). Serum adiponectin concentrations were measured in 32 patients with SSc, 10 patients with SLE, 12 patients with dermatomyositis patients and 13 healthy subjects with specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Adiponectin mRNA was determined in skin tissues of five patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), seven patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and seven healthy subjects with real-time polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant reduction in serum adiponectin levels in patients with dcSSc. SSc patients with decreased serum adiponectin levels had higher total skin thickness score and higher incidence of pulmonary fibrosis. Adiponectin mRNA levels in skin tissues from patients with dcSSc were also reduced. Serum adiponectin levels may be a useful biomarker for fibrotic condition in patients with SSc. Clarifying the role of adiponectin in collagen diseases may lead to further understanding of the pathogenesis and new therapeutic approach.
authors: Hiroki
authors: H
authors: Arakawa
authors: Masatoshi
authors: M
authors: Jinnin
authors: Faith C
authors: FC
authors: Muchemwa
authors: Takamitsu
authors: T
authors: Makino
authors: Ikko
authors: I
authors: Kajihara
authors: Katsunari
authors: K
authors: Makino
authors: Noritoshi
authors: N
authors: Honda
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Sakai
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Fukushima
authors: Hironobu
authors: H
authors: Ihn