Role of adiponectin in non-diabetic patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anti-IL-6 therapy.

Objectives: Adiponectin is an adipokine that plays a relevant role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complication that increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accordingly, we assessed for the first time the short-term effect of anti-IL-6 receptor tocilizumab (TCZ) administration on adiponectin serum levels in RA patients and explored the potential association of adiponectin levels with MetS features, other CV risk factors and demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients.

Methods: Adiponectin serum levels were evaluated in 50 non-diabetic RA patients, undergoing TCZ treatment, immediately prior to (pre-infusion) and 60 minutes after the end of a TCZ intravenous infusion (post-infusion).

Anti-IL-6 therapy reduces leptin serum levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Leptin is an adipokine that participates in the regulation of the immune and inflammatory response. Chronic systemic inflammation contributes to the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to assess the short-term effect of the anti-IL-6 receptor tocilizumab (TCZ) administration on circulating leptin concentrations in patients with RA, as well as the potential association of leptin with CV risk factors and demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients.

[Comorbidity of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) suffer a series of incidence-associated pathologies more frequent than general population. Comorbility includes: infections, arteriosclerosis, coronary arteriopathy, osteoporosis, and avascular necrosis of the bone, to name the more frequent ones. In general, such complications are related, above all, to the degree of SLE activity and the dosages of daily and accumulated corticoids.