Serum adropin, vascular endothelial growth factor, C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and nitric oxide levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) are the most common autoimmune diseases. Recently, new studies demonstrated that the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Adropin is a new discovered peptide that associated in the maintenance of energy homeostasis and regulate endothelial function. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) is novel adipokin that has an immunomodulatory and vascular effects. In this study, we aimed the evaluate association between autoimmune thyroid diseases and levels of adropin, CTRP9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). We investigate 35 patients with GD, 35 patients with HT and 35 healty controls that were followed by Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinic of Gaziantep University. All patients and control group were evaluated for biochemical and hormonal parametres. Adropin, CTRP9, VEGF, NO and TNF-α analysis was performed with immunoassay kits. There were no statically significant differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index, lipid profile and thyroid hormon levels. Serum adropin and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with GD compared with healty controls (p═0,036 and p=0,004 respectively). Although adropin levels were higher than in patients with HT than control subjects, it was not significant. Serum CTRP9, NO, VEGF and TNF-α levels were statically significantly higher in patients with GD and HT compared with healty controls (p<0,05). This study indicates that TNF- α, VEGF, CTRP9 and NO levels were high in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. We suggested that, systemic chronic inflamation caused by autoimmune thyroiditis could contribute to development endothelial dysfunction in GD and HT patients. Also they could be used for follow-up patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and evaluate prognosis instead of traditionally risk factors for atherosclerosis. TNF- α, VEGF and NO probably have a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis, and development of autoimmunity. Increased adropin levels may associated with autoimmunity, and adropin can be useful to evaluate autoimmune thyroid diseases. However, further studies are necessary to establish the exact mechanism of adropin and CTRP9 interaction in autoimuune thyroid diseases.