Obesity, Lipid Profile and Cytokines in Spondyloarthritis
Maroua Slouma1,2, Wided Lahmer1,2, Lobna Kharrat1,2
1Department of Rheumatology, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Insights
In spondyloarthritis patients, higher levels of certain cytokines like IL-8 and IL-22 are linked to obesity. These cytokine-lipid profile correlations suggest a role in cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Chronic rheumatic diseases, including spondyloarthritis, are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- The specific relationship between cytokine profiles and lipid abnormalities in spondyloarthritis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and obesity, lipid profiles, and atherogenic indices in patients with spondyloarthritis.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 45 patients diagnosed with axial radiographic spondyloarthritis.
- Measurements included serum levels of key cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-23, TNFa, IL-10), lipid parameters (TC, TG, HDLc, LDLc), and calculated atherogenic indices.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.
Main Results:
- Elevated IL-8 levels were observed in obese patients (P=0.003), and higher IL-8 and IL-22 levels were associated with abdominal obesity (P=0.024, P=0.042).
- Lower IL-6 levels were found in patients with hypercholesterolemia (P=0.009).
- Significant correlations were found between IL-1 and IL-6 with triglycerides and atherogenic indices (TG/HDLc, Log[TG/HDLc]), and between IL-10 and TC/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc.
Conclusions:
- Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-22) in obese spondyloarthritis patients suggest adipocyte contribution to cytokine secretion.
- The observed correlations between specific cytokines and atherogenic lipid profiles indicate a potential role for these cytokines in the development of cardiovascular complications in spondyloarthritis.
Context:
Chronic rheumatic diseases seem to be associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The link between cytokines and lipid profile in spondyloarthritis is not well elucidated.
Aims:
We aimed to assess the relationship between cytokines and obesity, lipid profile and atherogenic indexes in spondyloarthritis.
Methods And Material:
We conducted a cross-sectional study including 45 patients with axial radiographic spondyloarthritis. For each patient, we measured the following pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL-) 1, IL-8, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa), and anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-10. We also measured total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc). We calculated the following ratios: TC/HDLc, TG/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc and Log[TG/HDLc].
Statistical Analysis Used:
SPSS.
Results:
The mean age was 46 ± 11.9 years. IL-8 levels were increased in obese patients (P = 0.003). IL-8 and IL-22 levels were significantly higher in patients with abdominal obesity (P = 0.024 and P = 0.042, respectively). IL-6 levels were lower in patients with hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.009). IL-1 levels correlated to TG (r = 0.413; P = 0.005). IL-1 and IL-6 were correlated to TG/HDLc (IL-1: r = 0.484, P = 0.001; IL-6; r = 0.700, P = 0.012) and Log[TG/HDLc] (IL-1: r = 0.354; P = 0.012; IL-6: r = 0.309, P = 0.041). IL-10 level was correlated to TC/HDLc (r = 0.333, P = 0.027) and LDLc/HDLc (r = 0.342, P = 0.023).
Conclusions:
IL-8 and IL-22 were higher in patients with abdominal obesity, highlighting the contribution of the adipocytes to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The correlation between cytokines and atherogenic indexes suggests the role of these cytokines in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in spondyloarthritis.
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