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Is adiponectin involved in morphea pathogenesis? - first observational study
Adriana Polańska1, Aleksandra Wiktoria Bratborska1,2, Michał J Kowalczyk1
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Background:
Morphea is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by fibrosis of the skin and/or subcutaneous tissues. Adiponectin is an adipokine known for its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties. Lower levels of this protein have been associated with various diseases, but to date, no studies have evaluated adiponectin levels in patients with morphea.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the serum concentration of adiponectin in patients suffering from different types of morphea. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the relationship between adiponectin levels and clinical parameters, as well as the severity of skin involvement.
Methods:
The study involved 67 patients with morphea and 30 healthy controls. Participants from the study group underwent a thorough clinical evaluation. Serum adiponectin levels were measured in both groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (ELISA).
Results:
Serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly reduced in morphea patients compared to healthy controls. We observed no significant differences in adiponectin concentrations among the various morphea types; however, patients diagnosed with morphea en plaque (MEP) or generalized morphea (GM) had significantly lower serum adiponectin concentrations compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, patients presenting with severe forms of the disease [the group included GM, deep morphea (DM), and linear morphea (LM)] had significantly reduced levels of adiponectin compared to healthy subjects. We found no significant differences in adiponectin levels between patients with active disease and patients in the non-active phase. There were no correlations between adiponectin levels and the localized scleroderma assessment tool (LoSCAT) score or disease duration.
Conclusion:
Patients with morphea exhibit significantly lower levels of serum adiponectin, yet these levels do not correlate with the disease severity or activity. Further research is needed to explore the potential role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of morphea.
Insights
Morphea patients have lower serum adiponectin levels compared to healthy individuals. Adiponectin levels did not correlate with morphea disease severity or activity, suggesting further research into its role in pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Morphea is a chronic fibrotic skin condition.
- Adiponectin, an adipokine, has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties.
- Previous studies have not investigated adiponectin levels in morphea patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum adiponectin concentrations in morphea patients.
- To compare adiponectin levels across different morphea subtypes.
- To assess the relationship between adiponectin levels and clinical parameters, including disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum adiponectin.
- 67 morphea patients and 30 healthy controls were included.
- Clinical evaluations and disease severity assessments were performed.
Main Results:
- Morphea patients exhibited significantly lower serum adiponectin levels than controls.
- Lower adiponectin levels were observed in morphea en plaque (MEP) and generalized morphea (GM) subtypes.
- Severe morphea forms (GM, deep morphea (DM), linear morphea (LM)) showed reduced adiponectin levels.
- No significant differences in adiponectin were found between active and inactive disease phases.
- Adiponectin levels did not correlate with LoSCAT score or disease duration.
Conclusions:
- Morphea patients demonstrate reduced serum adiponectin levels.
- Adiponectin levels in morphea do not correlate with disease severity or activity.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand adiponectin's role in morphea pathogenesis.
