Triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein levels as markers of systemic lupus erythematosus activity and their association with TNF-alpha and TNF receptor

ABSTRACT

There are some clues that measurement of triglyceride [TG] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and their correlation with tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha]. soluble TNF-alpha receptor type I and type 2 [sTNFR1, sTNFR2] in serum could be valuable in the assessment of disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients. In this cross-sectional study, fasting blood samples were obtained from 43 SLE patients fulfilling four or more of the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] 1997 revised classification criteria for SLE. Disease activity was determined by using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]. TG and HDL obtained after overnight fasting were analyzed by routine chemistry. Levels of circulating TNF-alpha. sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Triglyceride levels were associated with SLEDAI [r = 0.59. P<0.001]. TNF-alpha [r = 0.27. P<0.01], and with sTNFR1 [r = 0.54. P < 0.001] on the contrary. HDL levels were negatively associated with SLEDAI [r = -0.29. P<0.007]. TNF-alpha [r = -0.27. P<0.01] and sTNFR1 [r = -0.35. P<0.001]. The correlation of TG and HDL with sTNFR2 were [r = 0.13. P> 0.23] and [r = -0.17. P> 0.1]. respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, the levels of TNF-alpha and HDL were omitted. Dyslipoproteinemia with high TG/low HDL levels correlates with disease activity in SLE. and enhanced activity In the TNF-alpha .sTNFR system. With results of this study and similar studies, serum levels of TG, HDL, TNF-alpha. sTNFR1, sTNFR2 are valuable markers for estimation of disease activity in SLE