Assessment of Serum Chemerin Levels in Acanthosis Nigricans: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is an asymptomatic skin condition linked to several underlying systemic conditions. Chemerin is an adipokine that increases during inflammatory disorders such as metabolic syndrome (MetS).

AIMS: This case-control study investigates the link between AN and the underlying MetS and serum levels of chemerin in individuals with obesity.

PATIENTS/METHODS: 25 adults with AN and obesity (body mass index (BMI) >30 Kg/m2 ), 25 adults with obesity but no AN, and 25 healthy controls (BMI <30 Kg/m2 ) had their lipid profiles and serum chemerin concentrations examined.

RESULTS: The neck (80.0%) and axilla (68.0%) were the most common sites of AN. In participants with obesity, either alone or with AN, serum chemerin concentrations were significantly higher than in the control group (p <0.001). Participants with obesity and AN had significantly higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and serum chemerin levels (p < 0.001), and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (p < 0.001) when compared to participants with obesity alone. All participants with obesity and AN (100%) and 88% of those with obesity alone had MetS. Logistic regression revealed that systolic blood pressure >130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure >85 mmHg, waist circumference >90 cm, TG > 150 mg/dl, HDL-c < 45 mg/dl, fasting blood glucose >100 mg/dl and serum chemerin >300 ng/ml were significant (p <0.05) risk factors for AN.

CONCLUSIONS: AN is a non-invasive and reliable sign of the underlying MetS and increased serum chemerin levels among individuals with obesity.