Adipokine and cytokine levels in patients with adrenocortical cancer, subclinical Cushing's syndrome and healthy controls

Introduction In recent years researchers have focused at hormonal activity in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in connection with metabolic disorders and the role of adipokines and cytokines secreted by the adipose tissue. The aim of the study was to investigate levels of adipokines and cytokines in patients with: subclinical CS (SCS) – in relation to hormonal parameters of hypercortisolemia, and, adrenocortical cancer (ACC). Materials and methods The study included 20 SCS as well as 7 ACC patients, and 18 healthy participants. Hormonal activity and serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), were analyzed. Results In SCS patients compared to healthy volunteers a trend toward higher concentrations of all pro-inflammatory cytokines was noted, however, statistically significant differences were only found for TNFα and IL6 (p = 0.047 and p = 0.028, respectively). Adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in the SCS group (p = 0.006). Serum adipokine and cytokine levels were independent of the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) in the SCS group. A significant correlation was found between subclinical glucocorticoid secretion and IL6 concentration (Pearson’s r = 0.517, p = 0.02). Acquired results were independent of BMI. In ACC patients compared to controls higher IL6, TNFα and MCP1 levels were recorded. Conclusion It is possible that higher adipokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations as well as lower anti-inflammatory adiponectin concentrations comprise an additional risk factor of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in SCS patients. It seems that at least among patients with SCS adipokine and cytokine secretion is independent of hormonal activity (except for IL6).