title: Serum adiponectin levels in advanced-stage Parkinson's disease patients.
abstract: Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) experience body weight loss and reductions in the most common cardiovascular risk factors. At present, the pathogenetic mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. Increased serum concentrations of adiponectin, which possesses antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties, are associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk. The objective of this study was to determine adiponectin serum concentrations in PD patients. Thirty PD patients underwent a full nutritional status assessment, including the determination of adiponectin serum concentrations. Mean ± SD adiponectin concentrations were 9.59 ± 5.9 μg/mL (interquartile range: 5.92-12.9 μg/mL). In PD patients, adiponectin serum levels were similar to those in normal-weight, healthy, young subjects and significantly higher than that in an aged-matched group of morbidly obese subjects. Further studies are warranted to establish the role of adiponectin in the management of PD patients.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento (ICP), via Bignami 1, 20126 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassani
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cancello
authors.forename: Ferruccio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavanna
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maestrini
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Di Blasio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liuzzi
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzoli
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barichella