Angiopoietin-2 predicts disease-free survival after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies.

Emerging data suggest a critical role for bone marrow angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies. The angiopoietin/Tie ligand-receptor system is an essential regulator of this process. We evaluated whether circulating angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a predictor for the probability of disease-free survival (DFS) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Ang-2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum from 20 healthy controls and 90 patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome before conditioning for HSCT. Circulating Ang-2 was elevated in patients (median, 2.21 ng/mL; range, 0.18-48.84 ng/mL) compared with controls (median, 0.87 ng/mL; range, 0.27-4.51 ng/mL; P < .001). Multivariate analyses confirmed the independent prognostic impact of Ang-2 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-4.76, P = .005), percentage of bone marrow infiltration (HR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29, P = .033), and chemotherapy cycles before HSCT (HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08, P = .048). Regression tree analysis detected optimal cutoff values for Ang-2 and recursively identified bone marrow blasts and Ang-2 as the best predictors for DFS. Because few predictors for DFS exist in the setting of allo-HSCT, Ang-2 may be used as a readily available powerful biomarker to pre-estimate DFS and may open new perspectives for risk-adapted treatment of high-risk myeloid malignancies.

Angiopoietin 2 and cardiovascular disease in dialysis and kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still incompletely understood. Angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) and Ang-2 are 55-kDa antagonistic nonredundant gatekeepers of endothelial activation and thus are potential important factors in accelerated atherosclerosis. We aimed to study: (1) angiopoietin levels in patients treated by means of dialysis and kidney transplantation, (2) the association of altered angiopoietin levels with atherosclerosis, and (3) changes in altered levels after renal transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 117 patients with CKD (61 hemodialysis [HD] patients, 24 peritoneal dialysis [PD] patients, and 32 renal transplant recipients) and 22 healthy controls. PREDICTOR: Treatment by means of HD or PD or renal transplantation versus healthy controls. OUTCOME: Serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 levels and ratio and changes in levels before and 3 months after transplantation. Correlations of angiopoietin levels with the presence and severity of coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. MEASUREMENTS: Ang-1 and Ang-2 were measured in sera by using an immunoradiometric sandwich assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Coronary heart disease was scored by using coronary angiography, and peripheral arterial disease, by using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Ang-1 level was decreased in HD patients compared with controls (29.1 +/- 12 versus 45.3 +/- 11.5 ng/mL; P < 0.001). In contrast, Ang-2 level was increased (HD, 8.7 +/- 0.64; PD, 6.48 +/- 8.1 ng/mL versus controls, 0.88 +/- 0.43 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Ang levels in renal transplant recipients were not different from healthy controls. Longitudinally, individual Ang-2 levels decreased after kidney transplantation (P = 0.01). In addition, in patients with CKD, Ang-2 level correlated significantly with scores of coronary heart disease (r = 0.486; P < 0.001) and peripheral arterial disease (r = 0.648; P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional study design. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating Ang-2 level was increased in patients treated with dialysis, although the mechanism is unknown. Kidney transplantation normalized circulating Ang-2 levels after 3 months. In addition, Ang-2 might be a mediator (and thus a marker) that accounts for accelerated atherosclerosis in dialysis patients.

Circulating angiopoietin-2 is a marker and potential mediator of endothelial cell detachment in ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement.

BACKGROUND: The endothelial-specific angiopoietin (Ang)-Tie ligand-receptor system has been identified as a non-redundant regulator of endothelial cell detachment in vitro. Binding of circulating angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) to the Tie2 receptor antagonizes Tie2 signalling and leads to disassembly of cell-cell junctions. Here, we ask whether circulating Ang-2 correlates with the severity of endothelial damage in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with renal involvement. METHODS: Ang-2 was measured in sera obtained from 45 patients with AAV and 20 healthy controls by in-house ELISA. The disease activity was monitored by BVAS and the enumeration of circulating endothelial cells (CECs). RESULTS: Ang-2 was significantly elevated in active AAV with renal involvement compared to controls and patients in remission. In contrast, Ang-2 was normal in patients with active granulomatous disease limited to the respiratory tract. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong association of Ang-2 with BVAS (r(s)(2) = 0.49 P < 0.0001) and the number of CECs (r(s)(2) = 0.48 P < 0.001). An Ang-2 cut-off value >4.15 ng/ml for a positive result yielded 100% specificity and 65% sensitivity for active systemic vasculitis. The positive predictive value was 99% and the negative predictive value 84%. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating Ang-2 is elevated and closely correlates with BVAS and CEC numbers in AAV with renal involvement. These data indicate that Ang-2 might be a potential mediator of endothelial cell detachment in AAV.

Circulating angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 in critically ill patients: development and clinical application of two new immunoassays.

INTRODUCTION: In critically ill patients, the massive release of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) from endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies interferes with constitutive angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1)/Tie2 signaling in endothelial cells, thus leading to vascular barrier breakdown followed by leukocyte transmigration and capillary leakage. The use of circulating Ang-1 and Ang-2 as novel biomarkers of endothelial integrity has therefore gained much attention. The preclinical characteristics and clinical applicability of angiopoietin immunoassays, however, remain elusive. METHODS: We developed sandwich immunoassays for human Ang-1 (immunoradiometric sandwich assay/immunoluminometric sandwich assay) and Ang-2 (ELISA), assessed preanalytic characteristics, and determined circulating Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations in 30 healthy control individuals and in 94 critically ill patients. In addition, Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations were measured in 10 patients during a 24-hour time course with respect to interference by intravenous antibiotic treatment and by extended daily dialysis. RESULTS: The assays had detection limits of 0.12 ng/ml (Ang-1) and 0.2 ng/ml (Ang-2). Inter-assay and intra-assay imprecision was < or = 8.8% and 3.7% for Ang-1 and was < or = 4.6% and 5.2% for Ang-2, respectively. Angiopoietins were stable for 24 hours and were resistant to four freeze-thaw cycles. Angiopoietin concentrations were not associated with age, body mass index or renal function in healthy individuals. Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations correlated with severity of illness in critically ill patients. Angiopoietin concentrations were not influenced by antibiotic treatment or by extended daily dialysis. CONCLUSION: Ang-1 and Ang-2 might serve as a novel class of biomarker in critically ill patients. According to preclinical and clinical validation, circulating Ang-1 and Ang-2 can be reliably assessed by novel immunoassays in the intensive care unit setting.

Excess circulating angiopoietin-2 is a strong predictor of mortality in critically ill medical patients.

INTRODUCTION: The endothelial specific angiopoietin (Ang)-Tie2 ligand-receptor system has been identified as a non-redundant mediator of endothelial activation in experimental sepsis. Binding of circulating Ang-1 to the Tie2 receptor protects the vasculature from inflammation and leakage, whereas binding of Ang-2 antagonises Tie2 signalling and disrupts endothelial barrier function. Here, we examine whether circulating Ang-1 and/or Ang-2 independently predict mortality in a cohort of critically ill medical patients. METHODS: Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Ang-1 and Ang-2 were prospectively measured in sera from 29 healthy controls and 43 medical ICU patients by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and ELISA, respectively. Survival after 30 days was the primary outcome studied. RESULTS: Median serum Ang-2 concentrations were increasingly higher across the following groups: healthy controls, patients without sepsis, patients with sepsis and patients with septic shock. In contrast, Ang-1 and VEGF concentrations were significantly lower in all patient groups compared with healthy controls. Ang-2 correlated with partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), tissue hypoxia, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. Multivariate Cox regression analyses confirmed a strong independent prognostic impact of high Ang-2 as a novel marker of 30-day survival. CONCLUSIONS: A marked imbalance of the Ang-Tie system in favour of Ang-2 is present in critically ill medical patients. Our findings highlight the independent prognostic impact of circulating Ang-2 in critical illness. Ang-2 may be used as a readily available powerful predictor of outcome and may open new perspectives to individualise treatment in the ICU.

Effects of antiepileptic drug therapy on vitamin D status and biochemical markers of bone turnover in children with epilepsy.

Reports of decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and altered bone metabolism associated with antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment are inconsistent and predominantly restricted to adults. In this cross-sectional observational study, the aim was to evaluate the influence of AED treatment on vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover in children with epilepsy. In 38 children taking AEDs and 44 healthy control subjects, blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum 25-OHD, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC) and C terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP). More than 75% of the patients were vitamin D deficient (serum 25-OHD<20 ng/mL) and 21% of the patients had an insufficient vitamin D status (serum 25-OHD=20-30 ng/mL). In the patients, the serum levels of OC (p = 0.002) and BAP (p < 0.001) were significantly increased, but ICTP (p = 0.002) concentrations were significantly decreased compared with the control group. When patients where divided into two groups according to their medication (mono- or polytherapy), significantly lower 25-OHD (p = 0.038) and ICTP (p = 0.005) levels and elevated BAP (p = 0.023) concentrations were found in patients under polytherapy. An association between 25-OHD and the measured bone markers could not be determined. Our results indicate that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in epilepsy patients under AED treatment is high, especially under polytherapy, and alteration markers of bone formation and resorption suggests an accelerated skeletal turnover. The routine monitoring of serum 25-OHD and vitamin D supplementation on an individual basis should be considered.

Obesity influences the food consumption and cytokine pattern in ghrelin-treated endotoxemic rats.

Obese patients have an increased incidence of systemic infections and higher morbidity and mortality rates than normal weight subjects. Ghrelin is a potent orexigenic signal from the stomach and seems to play a role in the generation and control of immune interactions. To examine a possible benefit of a single ghrelin application on acute endotoxemia, chronic intravenous (i.v.) cannulated lean and diet-induced obese male LEW rats were treated with a bolus injection of either ghrelin (10 nmol/kg) or vehicle, 10 min prior to a challenge with a sublethal bolus of endotoxin (100 microg/kg) or vehicle. Multiple blood samples were taken within a period from 24 h before the experiment up to 24 h after the endotoxin challenge to measure ghrelin and cytokine levels. Additionally, food consumption was recorded and ghrelin expression in fore- and glandular stomach was evaluated immunohistochemically. Despite higher serum ghrelin levels, the food consumption was significantly decreased in obese endotoxemic rats compared to lean littermates after ghrelin treatment. Furthermore we could show an increase of anti-inflammatory IL-10 serum levels after ghrelin treatment of normal weight endotoxemic and an opposite effect in obese animals. As the therapy of disease-associated cachexia and various immunological problems in endotoxemia is still insufficient, peptides such as ghrelin with their modulating abilities for the endocrine and the immune system are of special interest. However, the present study shows that the beneficial effects of ghrelin were attenuated in obese endotoxemic animals. These data further document the necessity to differentiate between normal weight and obese subjects in the attempt to establish ghrelin as a therapeutic target in endotoxemia.

Hepatic leptin signaling in obesity.

Obesity, a state of apparent "leptin resistance" is well known to be associated with insulin resistance. In diet-induced obesity (DIO), hepatic insulin signaling is impaired but the link between leptin and insulin signaling pathways is only incompletely defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of DIO on leptin and insulin cross-signaling in the liver. Leptin receptor expression was measured by in situ hybridization with pan-leptin receptor probes and by immunoblotting. Furthermore, intracellular signaling was investigated in vivo under basal conditions and at 45 and 360 min after stimulation with a bolus of human recombinant leptin (hrec-leptin; 1 mg/kg body wt) or saline. At baseline, all forms of the leptin receptor were markedly to completely down-regulated in DIO rats. Hrec-leptin bolus injection stimulated leptin-dependent signaling with a fivefold increase in JAK-2pY in lean but not in DIO rats. Basal IRpY, IRS-1pY, IRS-1p85, IRS-2pY, IRSp85, and PKBpT308 levels were reduced (P<0.01) in DIO rats as compared with lean controls. Basal GSK-3beta serine phosphorylation (S9) was higher (P<0.01) in lean animals along with lower basal PEPCK activity compared with DIO rats consistent with the insulin and leptin resistance of the latter. Only in lean animals phosphorylation of PKB (T308) and GSK-3beta (S9) was acutely stimulated by leptin at 45 min followed by inhibition at 6 h after application. AMPKalpha protein levels as well as basal and leptin-stimulated total and alpha-specific AMPK activity were comparable in both groups. These data show that in a model of dietary-induced obesity 1) leptin receptors and subsequent signaling events are down-regulated, 2) basal insulin signaling is impaired, and 3) the cross-talk between leptin and insulin signaling is differentially regulated by the nutritional status, which is sensed by AMPK in rat liver. Thus, the liver seems to play a major role in the modulation of the leptin signal and insulin resistance in obesity.

Insulin-dependent modulation of plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations is less pronounced in type 2 diabetic patients.

The gastric peptide ghrelin augments and the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin reduces appetite and food intake. In the central nervous system, insulin directly decreases hunger sensation but could also act indirectly by modulating ghrelin and leptin secretion. This study examines dose-dependent effects of insulin on plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations during hyperinsulinemic (1, 2, and 4 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1))-euglycemic clamp tests in six nondiabetic (control subjects) and six type 2 diabetic patients. Type 2 diabetic patients were studied before and after prolonged (12-h and 67-h) variable intravenous insulin treatment aiming at near-normoglycemia (115 +/- 4 mg/dl). Nondiabetic subjects were also studied during saline infusion, which did not affect ghrelin but decreased leptin by 19 +/- 6% (P < 0.03). In control subjects, plasma ghrelin decreased at all clamp steps (-17 +/- 1, -27 +/- 6, and -33 +/- 4%, respectively; P < 0.006 vs. baseline), whereas leptin increased by 35 +/- 11% (P < 0.05). In type 2 diabetic patients without insulin treatment, ghrelin decreased by 18 +/- 7% (P < 0.05) only after 4 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1) insulin infusion and leptin increased by 19 +/- 6% (P < 0.05). After prolonged insulin treatment and near-normoglycemia, ghrelin and leptin remained unchanged in type 2 diabetic patients during the clamps. In conclusion, insulin reduces plasma ghrelin in nondiabetic patients and, to a lesser extent, in type 2 diabetic patients before insulin therapy. These findings indicate an indirect effect of insulin via ghrelin on the suppression of hunger sensation and appetite.

Increased intramyocellular lipid concentration identifies impaired glucose metabolism in women with previous gestational diabetes.

Women with previous gestational diabetes (pGDM) are frequently insulin-resistant, which could relate to intramyocellular lipid content (IMCL). IMCL were measured with (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in soleus (IMCL-S) and tibialis-anterior muscles (IMCL-T) of 39 pGDM (32 +/- 2 years, waist-to-hip ratio 0.81 +/- 0.01) and 22 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; 31 +/- 1 years, 0.76 +/- 0.02) at 4-6 months after delivery. Body fat mass (BFM) was assessed from bioimpedance analysis, insulin sensitivity index (S(I)), and glucose effectiveness (S(G)) from insulin-modified frequently sampled glucose tolerance tests. pGDM exhibited 45% increased BFM, 35% reduced S(I) and S(G) (P < 0.05), and 40% (P < 0.05) and 55% (P < 0.005) higher IMCL-S and IMCL-T, respectively. IMCL related to body fat (BFM P < 0.005, leptin P < 0.03), but only IMCL-T correlated (P < 0.03) with S(I) and glucose tolerance index independent of BMI. Insulin-resistant pGDM (n = 17) had higher IMCL-S (+66%) and IMCL-T (+86%) than NGT and insulin-sensitive pGDM (+28%). IMCL were also higher (P < 0.005, P = 0.05) in insulin-sensitive pGDM requiring insulin treatment during pregnancy and inversely related to the gestational week of GDM diagnosis. Thus, IMCL-T reflects insulin sensitivity, whereas IMCL-S relates to obesity. IMCL could serve as an additional parameter of increased diabetes risk because it identifies insulin-resistant pGDM and those who were diagnosed earlier and/or required insulin during pregnancy.

Circulating ghrelin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The syndrome of polycystic ovaries (PCOS) is associated with adiposity and metabolic changes predisposing to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Because the recently discovered GH secretagogue, ghrelin, is intimately involved in the control of appetite and weight regulation, we studied ghrelin levels in a group of 26 otherwise healthy women with PCOS. They were compared with 61 healthy female control subjects and 5 gastrectomized women. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and continuous infusion of glucose with model assessment (CIGMA) in all patients. In PCOS women, serum ghrelin levels were significantly lower than in healthy lean or obese controls (P < 0.001). In insulin-sensitive PCOS women, ghrelin concentrations compared well with the healthy controls, whereas in insulin-resistant PCOS ghrelin levels were significantly lower and indistinguishable from the low levels found in the gastrectomized women. There was a close correlation of ghrelin to insulin sensitivity (HOMA, r(2) = 0.330, P < 0.002; CIGMA, r(2) = 0.568, P < 0.0001). Treatment of 10 insulin-resistant PCOS women with metformin significantly increased circulating fasting ghrelin concentrations (P < 0.02). Ghrelin levels did not correlate to any of the parameters of hyperandrogenemia, to the LH/FSH ratio, to body mass index, or to fasting insulin and glucose concentrations. In summary, ghrelin levels are decreased in PCOS women and are highly correlated to the degree of insulin resistance. This suggests that ghrelin could be linked to insulin resistance in PCOS women. However, whether low ghrelin in PCOS is a cause or the consequence of insulin resistance awaits further investigations.

Differential effects of GH replacement on the components of the leptin system in GH-deficient individuals.

GH therapy is associated with a reduction in fat mass and an increase in lean mass in subjects with GH deficiency (GHD). Leptin, like GH, plays an important role in the regulation of body composition. GH treatment has been shown to reduce serum leptin; however, the physiological interactions between the leptin system (free leptin, bound leptin, and soluble leptin receptor) and the GH/IGF-I system largely remain unknown. Twenty-five patients with childhood (n = 10) and adult-onset (n = 15) GHD were studied. GH status had previously been determined using an insulin tolerance test and/or an arginine stimulation test. The following parameters were recorded at baseline (V1) and then after 3 months (V2) and 6 months (V3) on GH treatment: fat mass, body mass index (BMI), and waist/hip ratio (WHR); blood samples were taken after an overnight fast for free leptin, bound leptin, soluble leptin receptor, insulin, and IGF-I. At V2 and V3, respectively, a fall in free leptin (P < 0.001 for each), and at V3 a fall in in percent fat mass (P < 0.001) were observed. There were no significant changes in BMI or WHR. Simultaneously, there was a rise in insulin (P = 0.068 and P < 0.001), IGF-I (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), bound leptin (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001), and soluble leptin receptor (P = 0.61 and P < 0.001). A positive relationship was noted between free leptin and BMI (P < 0.001) and between free leptin and fat mass (P < 0.001), and a negative relationship was found between free leptin and IGF-I (P < 0.001) and, within patient, between free leptin and insulin (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between free leptin and WHR. Bound leptin had a positive association with IGF-I (P < 0.001) and insulin (P = 0.002) and a negative relationship with percent fat mass (P = 0.023). Soluble leptin receptor was also positively related to IGF-I (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our data suggest that the reduction in serum leptin with GH treatment, as noted by others, is mediated through a fall in free leptin. The fall in free leptin and in part the rise in bound leptin are most likely through a reduction in percent fat mass. However, the observed changes in free leptin and bound leptin and, more importantly, the rise in soluble leptin receptor, are not explained entirely by modifications in body composition and may be a direct result of GH/IGF-I.

Serum pattern of circulating free leptin, bound leptin, and soluble leptin receptor in the physiological menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum pattern of free leptin, bound leptin, and soluble leptin receptor throughout the physiological menstrual cycle. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care center for gynecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine and a university research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Thirty regularly cycling volunteers (age, 29 +/- 4.2 years). INTERVENTION(S): Blood sampling was performed at different phases (early and mid follicular phase, preovulatory phase, and early and late luteal phase) of three consecutive menstrual cycles; each phase of the menstrual cycle was investigated twice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Free leptin, bound leptin, soluble leptin receptor, LH, E(2), P, vaginal ultrasound. RESULT(S): A peak of serum free leptin levels was found in the late luteal phase followed by a significant drop in the early follicular phase and again by a continuous increase up to the next luteal peak. There were no significant alterations in serum bound leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels. CONCLUSION(S): The present study shows that there are significant circacyclic fluctuations of free leptin levels with the highest concentrations in the late luteal phase and the lowest levels in the early follicular phase, which suggests that circulating free leptin is up-regulated by the C(21)-steroid (P). Circulating bound leptin and soluble leptin receptor are not altered by the cyclic hormone status. The significant rise of the leptin bioequivalent, free leptin, in the late luteal phase might be of importance for the luteal-follicular and the luteal-preimplantatory functional shift.

Diet-induced obesity, exogenous leptin-, and MADB106 tumor cell challenge affect tissue leukocyte distribution and serum levels of cytokines in F344 rats.

The adipocyte-derived catabolic protein leptin alters cell-mediated immunity and cytokine crosstalk. This may provide new insights into the altered immune response, seen in obese individuals. Therefore, we determined the tissue distribution of immune cells in diet-induced obese (dio) and normal weight F344 rats challenged with MADB106 tumor cells or leptin. Immune cell distribution in blood (by FACS analysis) and tissues (NK cells in spleen and liver, immunohistologically) as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α; by flow cytometry) were investigated in 28 normal weight and 28 dio rats (n = 4-6/group). Pro-inflammatory cytokines were increased 3-fold for IL-6 and 7-fold for TNF-α in obese animals. Higher numbers of blood monocytes and NK cells were found in obese as compared to normal weight animals. In dio rats challenged with leptin and MADB106 tumor cells, monocyte numbers were decreased as compared to the obese control animals. Immunohistochemistry revealed an altered NK cell distribution in a compartment-, treatment-, and bodyweight-specific manner. In conclusion, our data reveal a distinct distribution pattern of monocytes and NK cells in dio rats as compared to normal weight littermates and an additional modulatory effect of a leptin- and MADB106 tumor cell challenge.

Heritability of free and receptor-bound leptin in normal twins.

Free and receptor-bound leptin may be regulated by different mechanisms. Genes that influence the concentration of these fractions may have an important functional bearing. We determined circulating leptin receptor concentrations, bound as well as free leptin concentrations, and body composition in 24 monozygotic (MZ) and in 22 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. Bound leptin and leptin receptor concentrations were inversely correlated with body fat content. Free leptin concentrations were directly correlated with body fat content. The correlations in age- and sex-adjusted free leptin, bound leptin, and leptin receptor concentrations were higher between MZ twins than between DZ twins. Adjusted heritability (h2) estimates were 0.28 for free leptin, 0.73 for bound leptin, and 0.55 for leptin receptor. The genetic correlation with body fat was -0.58 for the leptin receptor, -0.20 for bound leptin, and 0.93 for free leptin. Our data are consistent with a strong genetic influence on leptin receptor and bound leptin and a weaker genetic influence on free leptin concentrations. The same genes that lower bound leptin and leptin receptor concentrations may increase fat mass or vice versa.

High adiponectin in chronic liver disease and cholestasis suggests biliary route of adiponectin excretion in vivo.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Models of fatty liver diseases and fibrosis suggest a hepatoprotective effect of adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone with antidiabetic, antiobesity, antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS: We studied adiponectin serum levels in 111 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients and 226 healthy controls and the impact of cholestasis on adiponectin by bile duct ligation experiments in mice. RESULTS: Adiponectin was significantly elevated in CLD, and correlated with stage of liver cirrhosis, liver cell injury, e.g. aminotransferase activity, and inflammatory markers, but not with liver synthesis capacity, insulin sensitivity (HOMA index) or clinical complications. As patients with biliary liver diseases and cholestasis exhibited the highest adiponectin levels, we experimentally investigated a potential biliary route of adiponectin excretion. Following bile duct ligation in mice adiponectin levels rapidly increased without affecting hepatic adiponectin gene expression. Also, adiponectin was detectable in human bile. High adiponectin concentrations were associated with severe cholangitis and/or cholestasis on liver histology. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin is elevated in chronic liver disease and correlates with inflammation and liver damage. High adiponectin levels after bile duct ligation in mice and in human bile from cholestatic patients suggest that biliary secretion is involved in adiponectin clearance and that adiponectin could serve as a novel marker indicating cholestasis in liver cirrhosis.

Ghrelin in chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ghrelin is a novel endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor involved in energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis and food intake. We investigated the role of ghrelin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), the mediator of the GH axis, in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). METHODS: Ghrelin and IGF-1 serum levels were determined in 105 CLD patients and 97 healthy controls and correlated with clinical and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Ghrelin was significantly elevated and IGF-1 reduced in CLD patients compared with healthy controls. IGF-1 serum levels inversely correlated with Child's classification. Ghrelin levels were significantly elevated in Child C cirrhosis patients independent of the aetiology of liver disease. Ghrelin levels did not correlate with liver function. In contrast, there was a correlation of ghrelin with clinical (gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, encephalopathy) and biochemical (anaemia, inflammatory markers, hypoglycaemia, renal dysfunction) parameters. In a subgroup of patients with CLD and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we observed a strong inverse correlation between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ghrelin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike IGF-1, ghrelin is not correlated with liver function, but increases in Child C cirrhosis and with complications of CLD. The inverse correlation with AFP in HCC patients requires further studies on the potential impact of ghrelin on the pathogenesis of anorexia-cachexia syndrome.