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SummaryObjective Patients treated with intravenous zoledronate frequently experience an acute phase reaction (APR) characterized by flu-like symptoms and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to define the role of various cytokines/adipocytokines in zoledronate-induced APR and develop a prognostic model for its prediction. Patients and Measurements Fifty-one postmenopausal women with low bone mass were subjected to zoledronate intravenous infusion. Patients were divided into those who experienced APR (APR+) and those who did not (APR−). APR was clinically defined by body temperature and the visual analogue pain scale for musculoskeletal symptoms. White blood cell count, leucocytic subpopulations, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, visfatin, resistin and leptin were measured before and 48 h following the infusion. The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and homoeostasis model of assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated to assess insulin sensitivity and resistance, respectively. Results (APR+) patients were younger and had lower baseline visfatin and higher baseline lymphocytes and phosphate compared with APR− patients. QUICKI decreased and HOMA-IR increased in APR+ patients while remained unchanged in APR− patients. In binary logistic regression analysis, a model containing previous bisphosphonate treatment, age, body mass index, lymphocytes and visfatin, which predicted zoledronate-induced APR with 82·1% sensitivity and 73·9% specificity, was selected. In this model, lymphocytes (P = 0·010) and visfatin (P = 0·029) at baseline could independently predict APR. Conclusions Zoledronate-induced APR is associated with serum increases of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase of insulin resistance. Patients with higher lymphocytes and lower visfatin levels at baseline are at higher risk for APR.

Summary Objective Apelin is an adipokine secreted from adipose and other tissues with increased expression in obesity, role in glucose metabolism and atherosclerosis, as well as in oxidative stress. Pregnancy is considered a state of hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and decreased insulin sensitivity. The aim of the present study is to investigate the levels of apelin in human pregnancy and its relation to insulin sensitivity. Patients and measurements One hundred and six pregnant women (24th–28th week of gestation), aged 27·9 ± 0·4 years, were compared to 106 age-matched healthy, nonpregnant women (controls). Measured parameters included serum levels of glucose, insulin, apelin, adiponectin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). The body mass index (BMI) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated as well. Results BMI, serum lipids and insulin levels were significantly higher, whereas serum apelin and glucose levels were lower in the pregnancy group compared to the control group. There was a significant negative correlation between apelin and adiponectin, in both groups. Additionally, apelin was negatively correlated with ox-LDL and HDL-cholesterol in the pregnancy group. Conclusions Although strongly correlated with adiponectin, apelin cannot be used as a marker of insulin sensitivity, but it could serve as a marker of oxidative stress in pregnancy.