1. Adipocytokine plasma concentrations reflect influence of inflammation but not body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients: A prospective observational study from the Netherlands.
- Author
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Nooijer, A.H. de, Kooistra, E.J., Grondman, I., Janssen, N.A.F., Joosten, L.A.B., Veerdonk, F.L. van de, Kox, M., Pickkers, P., Netea, M.G., Nooijer, A.H. de, Kooistra, E.J., Grondman, I., Janssen, N.A.F., Joosten, L.A.B., Veerdonk, F.L. van de, Kox, M., Pickkers, P., and Netea, M.G.
- Abstract
01 april 2023, Item does not contain fulltext, Obesity is recognized as a risk factor for adverse outcome in COVID-19, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unknown. Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ by secreting multiple pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, known as adipocytokines, which could be involved in COVID-19 severity. We explored the role of adipocytokines in COVID-19 and its association with BMI, clinical outcome, and inflammation. This is an observational study in 195 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Serial plasma concentrations of the adipocytokines leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and various inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Adipocytokines were compared between patients with normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) ), overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2) ), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) ), between patients admitted to the ICU and to non-ICU clinical wards, and between survivors and non-survivors. Patients with overweight and obesity displayed higher leptin concentrations and lower adiponectin concentrations throughout hospital admission (p < .001), whereas resistin concentrations were not different from patients with normal weight (p = .12). Resistin concentrations correlated with inflammatory markers and were persistently higher in ICU patients and non-survivors compared to non-ICU patients and survivors, respectively (both p < .001), whereas no such relationships were found for the other adipocytokines. In conclusion, leptin and adiponectin are associated with BMI, but not with clinical outcomes and inflammation in COVID-19 patients. In contrast, resistin is not associated with BMI, but high concentrations are associated with worse clinical outcomes and more pronounced inflammation. Therefore, it is unlikely that BMI-related adipocytokines or differences in the inflammatory response underlie obesity as a risk factor for severe COVID-19.
- Published
- 2023