Serum Chemerin Levels are Associated with Visceral Adiposity, Independent of Waist Circumference, in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

PURPOSE: Chemerin has been suggested to be linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the relationship between visceral adiposity and chemerin levels remains unclear in subjects with T2DM. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum chemerin levels and visceral adiposity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 102 subjects newly diagnosed with T2DM. The relationships between serum chemerin levels and clinical and biochemical parameters were examined. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictable factors of serum chemerin levels. RESULTS: Serum chemerin levels showed significant positive correlations with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral fat thickness (VFT), insulin levels, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and levels of triglycerides (log-transformed) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, while showing significant negative correlations with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. After adjusting for BMI and WC, VFT showed a significant relationship with serum chemerin levels (r=0.222, p=0.027). Moreover, VFT was an independent predictive factor of serum chemerin levels (β=0.242, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that chemerin is linked to metabolic syndrome components. Moreover, serum chemerin levels were associated significantly with obesity, especially visceral adipose tissue, in subjects with T2DM.

Autoimmune Hepatitis-systemic Lupus Erythematosus Overlap Syndrome Diagnosed after Tapering Immunosuppressive Therapy / 계명의대학술지

The differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is difficult due to the resemblance of these two disorders. However, the accurate diagnosis is important for prognosis and treatment that are different from each other. We report a case of AIH-SLE overlap syndrome which tapering of prednisone and azathioprine therapy deteriorated the condition of a patient due to flare up of SLE. The patient was a 28-year-old woman diagnosed as AIH. After administrations of prednisone and azathioprine, her condition was improved. During dose reduction, she was admitted to our hospital as fever and dyspnea. She diagnosed as lupus nephritis. After high dose treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine, she recovered. Once the diagnosis of autoimmune disease such as SLE or AIH has been made, clinicians should also be fully aware of concomitant other autoimmune disease.