Serum apelin-12 in bronchial asthma

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the serum level of apelin-12 in patients with bronchial asthma. Methods. 11 healthy controls and 29 patients with bronchial asthma were examined (among them 19 with atopic asthma and 10 with non-atopic asthma). Serum apelin-12 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA, MyBioSource, USA). SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science, V. 13) for Windows was used for statistical analysis. Results. The phenomenon of low apelin-12 serum levels was revealed in patients with bronchial asthma. The most significant decrease of apelin-12 levels was noticed in atopic bronchial asthma. The apelin-12 levels were significantly correlated with a number of indices of bronchial obstruction. Apelin-12 levels correlated with a number of indicators characterizing the grade of bronchial obstruction. Moreover, low apelin-12 levels were suggesting bronchial obstruction. Besides, significant reverse correlation of apelin-12 levels and allergic sensitization was revealed. In addition, statistically significant relation between apelin-12 serum level and peripheral blood eosinophil and lymphocyte counts was revealed. There was an inverse association between apelin-12 serum level and peripheral blood neutrophil count. Conclusion. Literature analysis and our own results allow us to suppose the possible protective role of apelin-12 in bronchial asthma flare. Further studies of apelin-12 and of other isoforms of adipokines are needed for better understanding of the disease.