title: Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current markers of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment. We investigated circulating levels of unacylated and acylated ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and their relationships with disease activity in patients with TA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 31 patients with TA and 32 sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerr's criteria, disease extent index-Takayasu, physician's global assessment, radiological parameters, and laboratory markers. Plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly lower in TA patients than that in healthy controls. Patients with active disease had lower unacylated ghrelin levels than those with inactive disease and had lower acylated ghrelin levels than healthy controls. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with various parameters of disease activity. The leptin/ghrelin ratio was significantly higher in TA patients than controls. It was positively correlated with disease activity. There was a positive correlation between unacylated and acylated ghrelin and a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin. There was no statistical difference in adiponectin levels between TA patients and controls. The radiological activity markers were positively correlated with other parameters of disease activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels may be useful in monitoring disease activity and planning treatment strategies for patients with TA. The serum leptin level and leptin/ghrelin ratio may also be used to help assess the disease activity.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Vedat
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gerdan
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kozaci
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Solmaz
authors.forename: Servet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.forename: Gercek
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Can
authors.forename: Aytac
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulcu
authors.forename: Yigit
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goktay
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.forename: Merih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birlik
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkoc
authors.forename: Fatos
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Onen
mesh_terms: D000215:Acylation; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D054439:Ghrelin; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020738:Leptin