Increased leptin and A-FABP levels in relapsing and progressive forms of MS.
BACKGROUND
Leptin and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) are produced by white adipose tissue and may play a role in chronic inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). To assess leptin and A-FABP in relapsing and progressive forms of MS.


METHODS
Adipokine levels were measured in untreated adult relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS) and Healthy control (HC). Pediatric-onset MS (POMS) and pediatric healthy controls (PHC) were also assessed. Leptin and A-FABP levels were measured in serum by ELISA. Groups were compared using linear mixed-effects model.


RESULTS
Excluding two patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) > 50, a significant difference in leptin level was found between RRMS and HC controlling for age (p = 0.007), SPMS and HC controlling for age alone (p = 0.002), or age and BMI (p = 0.007). A-FABP levels were higher in SPMS than HC (p = 0.007), controlling for age and BMI. Differences in A-FABP levels between POMS and PHC was observed after controlling for age (p = 0.019), but not when BMI was added to the model (p = 0.081).


CONCLUSIONS
Leptin and A-FABP levels are highest in SPMS compared to HC, suggesting a role in pathogenesis of this disease subtype. A-FABP levels are increased in POMS patients and may play a role in the early stages of disease.
Silvia
S
Messina
David
D
Vargas-Lowy
Alexander
A
Musallam
Brian C
BC
Healy
Pia
P
Kivisakk
Roopali
R
Gandhi
Riley
R
Bove
Taha
T
Gholipour
Samia
S
Khoury
Howard L
HL
Weiner
Tanuja
T
Chitnis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood*
D020738:Leptin