Purpose: This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin) and adiposity indexes regarding sex and cranial radiotherapy exposure among young acute lymphocytic leukemia survivors. Methods: A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to evaluate the joint effect of sex, cranial radiotherapy, and body mass index (BMI) z-score (model 1) or fat mass index (FMI) (model 2) on adipokines. Results: This study included 55 survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia between 15 and 23 years of age from both sexes (56.4% female); 43.6% of the sample had undergone cranial radiotherapy (18–24 Gy). The BMI z-score, the FMI, and sex (P<0.050 for all) influenced at least one adipokine, while cranial radiotherapy exposure was marginal in model 2. Parameter estimates from the MANCOVA's final model showed that the BMI z-score (β=-0.437, P=0.010) and the FMI (β=-0.209, P=0.004) negatively influenced adiponectin, while the FMI positively affected resistin (β=0.142, P=0.020). The relationship between leptin, visfatin, and the adiposity ndexes could not be established. In model 1, females presented with increased adiponectin (β=-1.014, P=0.011) and resistin (β=-1.067, P=0.002) levels; in model 2, female sex positively affected adiponectin (β=-1.515, P=0.001) and marginally influenced resistin (β=-0.707, P=0.054) levels. Cranial radiotherapy negatively determined visfatin levels in both final models (P<0.050). Conclusion Changes in body fat may be associated with adipose tissue dysfunction and should be carefully evaluated in survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia, considering both sex and cranial radiotherapy exposure, to treat disorders that may possibly aggravate their risk for early cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a molecule formed by lipids and polysaccharides and is the major cell wall component of gram-negative bacteria. High LPS levels are known to block CD26 expression by activating Toll-like receptor 4. The aim of this study was to correlate the serum levels of LPS and CD26 in Crohn's disease (CD) patients with serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins, CD activity index, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 27 individuals (10 with active CD, 10 with inactive CD, and 7 controls) and the levels of LPS, CD26, TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17, and CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of LPS and CD26 were then tested for correlation with TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and CRP. RESULTS: Serum levels of LPS were significantly elevated in the active CD group (P=0.003). Levels of IL-1β (P=0.002), IL-6 (P=0.003), and IL-17 (P<0.001) were lower in the CD groups. Serum TNF-α levels were increased in the active CD group. The CRP levels were elevated in the CD groups when compared to controls (P<0.001). The CD26 levels were lower in the CD groups than in the control group (P<0.001). Among the variables analyzed, there was a correlation between LPS and CRP (r=−0.53, P=0.016) in the CD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with CD exhibited higher serum levels of LPS varying from a 2- to 6-fold increase depending on disease activity, when compared with healthy controls. CD26 levels were lower in the CD groups. Both LPS and CD26 correlated with disease severity and serve as potential CD biomarkers.
Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cell Wall ; Crohn Disease* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Lipopolysaccharides* ; Necrosis ; Polysaccharides ; Toll-Like Receptor 4