Decreased Serum CTRP3 level was associated with connective tissue diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Complement C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 (CTRP3) and 9 (CTRP9) are adipokines with diverse biological functions.
• Their association with connective tissue diseases (CTD) remains largely uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum levels of CTRP3 and CTRP9 and various connective tissue diseases.
• To evaluate CTRP3 as a potential diagnostic marker for these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Serum CTRP3 and CTRP9 levels were measured using ELISA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), compared to healthy controls (HCs).
• Statistical analyses, including multivariate logistic regression and ROC curve analysis, were performed.

Main Results:

• Serum CTRP3 levels were significantly lower in patients with RA, SLE, pSS, and AS compared to HCs.
• No significant differences in serum CTRP9 levels were observed between patient groups and HCs.
• CTRP3 demonstrated potential as a diagnostic marker for RA, SLE, pSS, and AS, with AUC values ranging from 0.658 to 0.727.

Conclusions:

• Decreased serum CTRP3 levels are associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjogren's syndrome, and ankylosing spondylitis.
• CTRP3 may serve as a potential biomarker for these connective tissue diseases.