Relationship of apelin, procalcitonin, and fetuin-A concentrations with carotid intima-media thickness in acromegaly.
BACKGROUND
Acromegaly is characterized by excess growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations. There is conflicting evidence as to whether acromegaly is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Apelin is an adipose tissue-derived peptide that may be associated with hyperinsulinemia. Fetuin-A is a hepatocyte produced plasma glycoprotein that has an important role as a calcification inhibitor. The aim of this study was to examine apelin, fetuin-A, and procalcitonin concentrations and to assess their relationship with carotid intima medial thickness (cIMT) in subjects with acromegaly.


METHODS
Apelin, fetuin-A, and procalcitonin serum concentrations were measured in 37 (20 inactive and 17 active) subjects with acromegaly and 30 control subjects, along with carotid intima medial thickness.


RESULTS
The concentrations of apelin, fetuin-A, and procalcitonin were increased in subjects with acromegaly. There were significant correlations between apelin, fetuin-A, and procalcitonin in subjects with acromegaly. Carotid intima medial thickness values were similar between control subjects and subjects with acromegaly.


CONCLUSIONS
Carotid intima medial thickness was not increased in subjects with acromegaly. It is possible that the increased apelin and fetuin-A concentrations observed play a protective role against the development of atherosclerosis in subjects with acromegaly.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey topsakals@hotmail.com.
S
S
Topsakal
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
F
F
Akin
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
S
S
Turgut
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
G F
GF
Yaylali
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
D
D
Herek
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
C
C
Ayada
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000073861:Apelin; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / Q000032:analysis*
C115436:APLN protein, human; D000073861:Apelin; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
Acromegaly; apelin; carotid intima media thickness; fetuin-A; procalcitonin