THE ROLE OF ADIPOSITY, ADIPOKINES AND POLYMORPHISMS OF LEPTIN AND ADIPONECTIN IN MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between leptin and adiponectin gene polymorphisms, circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin, adiposity and clinical markers in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This cross-sectional study was conducted with 102 adults and elderly MDS patients and 102 age- and sex-matched controls. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, anthropometric data, laboratory evaluation and genetic analysis (polymorphisms -2548G>A/rs7799039 of the LEP gene and +276G>T/rs1501299 of the ADIPOQ gene) were investigated. Serum leptin was higher and adiponectin lower in MDS when compared to controls. There was a significant positive correlation between serum leptin levels and BMI (r= 0.264, p= 0.025), waist circumference (WC) (r= 0.235, p= 0.047), body fat percentage (%BF) (r= 0.373, p = 0.001) and the fat mass index (FMI) (r = 0.371, p < 0.001). A lower mean adiponectin was found among patients with high %BF, higher visceral adiposity index (VAT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A significant association was found between the AA genotype (mutant) of the LEP polymorphism rs7799039 and male gender and blast excess (≥ 5%). In addition, a significant association was observed between the TT genotype (mutant) of the ADIPOQ rs1501299 polymorphism and iron overload. These results demonstrate the importance of a comprehensive and systematic evaluation in patients with MDS, in order to identify and control negative factors not related to the disease at an early stage.