Increased resistin levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

Introduction: Resistin, which acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. However, the involvement of resistin in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a severe inflammatory central nervous system disorder that targets the optic nerve and spinal cord, remains unclear.

Methods: We measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resistin levels in patients with NMO and controls matched by age and sex. The link between resistin levels and clinical variables in NMO was subsequently assessed.

Results: The concentrations of serum and CSF resistin were significantly higher in patients with NMO than in controls, and decreased following treatment with methylprednisolone. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and annualized relapse rate positively correlated with resistin levels in patients with NMO.

Conclusion: Resistin might be a useful biomarker of inflammation in NMO, and a potential target for the treatment of NMO.

Keywords: Annualized relapse rate; Inflammation; Neuromyelitis optica; Resistin; hs-CRP.