Expression of leptin, NGF and adiponectin in metabolic syndrome

Adipose tissue secretes a variety of adipokines involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome corresponds to a clinical condition in which white adipose tissue is characterized by an increased production and secretion of inflammatory molecules which may have local effects on adipose tissue physiology but also systemic effects on other organs. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of leptin, NGF and adiponectin in women with metabolic syndrome compared to healthy controls. Plasma leptin, NGF and adiponectin levels were measured by the ELISA method. Leptin and NGF immunohistochemical expression was analyzed in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The results indicated that in women with metabolic syndrome waist circumference, body mass index, HOMA index, glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly increased in parallel with overxpressed plasma levels of leptin and NGF and decreased adiponectin. The immunohistochemical expression of leptin and NGF was very strong. In conclusion, this is the first study demonstrating a complex of immunochemical and immunohistochemical expression of the key adipokines including leptin, NGF and adiponectin in women with metabolic syndrome. Locally-produced pro-inflammatory adipokines probably contribute to the ethiopathogenic mechanisms ofmetabolic syndrome.