Serum leptin, adiponectin, and resistin concentration in colorectal adenoma and carcinoma (CC) patients

Leptin, adiponectin, and resistin are the proteins secreted by adipocytes, which affects the metabolism. While the role of leptin in colon carcinogenesis is documented, the effect of adiponectin and resistin remains unclear. It has been indicated that while leptin may potentiate the cancer cells growth, adiponectin and resistin may act oppositely.

The aim of this study is to determine the concentration of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in patients with adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.

The serum concentration investigated adipohormones had been measured with ELISA in 37 patients with colorectal adenomas, 36 with colorectal cancer (CC) and in 25 controls with no colorectal pathology. Endoscopically removed polyps and CC biopsies had been evaluated with histopathology. Mean BMI value was calculated for all patients.

Among 37 adenomas, 25 revealed high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and 12 low-grade dysplasia (LGD). All cases of CC were adenocarcinomas. No difference in the level of investigated adipohormones in serum between patients with HGD and LGD polyps was observed. The serum concentration of leptin and adiponectin in CC patients was lower than in patients with adenomas (p < 0.05; p < 0.05, respectively) as well as in controls (p < 0.01; p < 0.05, respectively). The concentration of resistin in CC was not significantly different in the adenoma group (p > 0.05) but higher than in controls (p < 0.05). There was a correlation between adiponectin and leptin serum concentration (r = 0.61).

We conclude that serum concentration of adiponectin and resistin may play an important role in colon carcinogenesis. We also assume that leptin may possibly have the prognostic value useful in clinical practice and its concentration is independent of BMI value.