Comparative analysis of cytokine and adipocytokine levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease considering the presence of metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is frequently observed in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, underscoring the need to investigate its components, particularly chronic systemic inflammation as a pathogenic factor, and risk factors for unfavorable disease progression. AIM: This study aimed to characterize changes in serum concentrations of cytokines and adipocytokines in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease considering the presence of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were divided into two groups: without metabolic syndrome (n = 13; group 1) and with metabolic syndrome (n = 20; group 2). The control group consisted of 16 relatively healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of adipocytokines (i.e., leptin, resistin, visfatin, and adiponectin) and cytokines (i.e., IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test and Student’s t-test. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, group 1 showed increased concentrations of MCP-1 [408.5 (341.1–526.7) pg/mL vs 195.0 (102.7–231.0) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], IL-6 [4.09 (3.18–9.44) pg/mL vs 1.02 (0.50–2.14) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], IL-8 [13.37 (12.66–13.75) pg/mL vs 4.96 (3.96–5.74) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], and IL-10 [9.34 (3.50–20.68) pg/mL vs 1.70 (0.71–10.02) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], as well as resistin [10.35 (6.56–13.44) ng/mL vs 4.93 (2.78–7.50) ng/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], visfatin [85.63 (76.00–91.75) ng/mL vs 55.34 (27.21–73.62) ng/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], adiponectin [13.95 (5.28–20.83) µg/mL vs 4.40 (3.48–8.56) µg/mL in the control group; p = 0.041], and leptin [9.16 (6.67–15.44) ng/mL vs 5.05 (4.43–7.49) ng/mL in the control group; p = 0.007]. Group 2 demonstrated increased concentrations of MCP-1 [457.3 (339.7–541.0) pg/mL vs 195.0 (102.7–231.0) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], IL-6 [5.42 (4.35–6.91) pg/mL vs 1.02 (0.50–2.14) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], and IL-8 [13.51 (12.34–15.52) pg/mL vs 4.96 (3.96–5.74) pg/mL in the control group; p = 0.001], as well as resistin [9.97 (6.58–11.80) ng/mL vs 4.93 (2.78–7.50) ng/mL in the control group; p = 0.003], visfatin [81.24 (72.15–92.26) ng/mL vs 55.34 (27.21–73.62) ng/mL in the control group; p = 0.002], and adiponectin [9.61 (5.40–14.98) µg/mL vs 4.40 (3.48–8.56) µg/mL in the control group; p = 0.041]. CONCLUSION: The unidirectional pattern of changes in adipocytokine concentrations in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — with and without metabolic syndrome — indicates that these proteins may be common markers of chronic inflammation.