Functional disability is related to serum chemerin levels in rheumatoid arthritis

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 16;11(1):8360. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87235-6.

Abstract

Adipokines, especially chemerin, can interact with cytokines and other molecules in inflammation. To date, there is insufficient information regarding a possible correlation between functional disability and chemerin and other pro-inflammatory molecules in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To identify the association of functional disability with serum chemerin and other pro-inflammatory molecules, including other adipokines, cytokines and E-selectin, in patients with RA. Cross-sectional study. Assessment: disease activity (DAS28-ESR) and functional disability (HAQ-DI). We compared the adipokines (chemerin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18) and E-selectin levels between RA with functional disability and RA non-disabled patients. Of 82 patients with RA, 43 (52%) had functional disability. The RA with functional disability group had higher chemerin (140 vs. 112 ng/mL, p = 0.007) than the non-disabled RA group. Chemerin correlated with the HAQ-DI (rho = 0.27, p = 0.02) and DAS28-ESR (rho = 0.21, p = 0.05). Severe activity correlated with IL-6 (rho = 0.33, p = 0.003) and E-selectin (rho = 0.23, p = 0.03) but not with disability. No other pro-inflammatory molecules correlated with HAQ-DI. High chemerin levels were associated with functional disability in RA, whereas no other molecules correlated with loss of function. These results encourage further studies assessing new roles of chemerin as a marker of impairment in RA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chemokines / blood*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disabled Persons
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokines
  • RARRES2 protein, human