Levels of serum leptin in the autoimmune thyroid diseases

Abstract

Objective To observe the levels of serum leptin in Gaves disease(GD)and thyroiditis(HT)Datients and to discuss the immunological role of leptin in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD).Methods 102 newly diagnosed female AITD patients were divided into 3 groups:GD hyperthyroid group,HT hypothyroid group and subclinical hypothyroid group.Age,sex and BMI-matched 27 euthyroid,healthy subjects served as controis.The levels of FT3,FT4 and sTSH were determined by immunofluorometrie assay.ELISA kit was aDplied to measure the levels of serum leptin.Results Serum FT3 and FT4[(19.74±15.39),(78.25±58.68)pmol/L]levels of GD hyperthyroid patients were obviously higher than those of the controls[(4.87±0.25),(15.96±3.15)pmol/L,P＜0.01],but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(0.15±0.08)mU/L,(8.73±1.92)μg/L]were obviously lower than those of the controls[(3.81±0.19)mU/L,(12.38±3.51)μg/L,P＜0.01or＜0.05].Serum FT3 and FT4[(3.36±0.26),(6.95±3.29)pmol/L]levels of HT hypothyroid patients were obviously lower than those of the controls(P＜0.05),but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(45.48±35.83)mU/L,(17.17±3.82)μg/L]were obviously higher than those of the controls(P＜0.01 or＜0.05).Serum FT3 and FT4[(4.67±0.60),(14.87±2.14)pmol/L]levels of subclinical hypothyroid patients had not statistical difference comparing with those of the controls(P＞0.05),but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(13.67±8.66)mU/L,(16.25±3.67)μg/L]were obviously higher than those of the controls(P＜0.01 or＜0.05).Conclusions Leptin might have an immuoregulation role in the pathogenesis of AITD.In addition,serum levels of leptin in AITD is also influenced by many other related hormones. Key words: Leptin; Autoimmune diseases; Graves disease; Thyroiditis,autoimmune