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Serum Haptoglobin: A Novel Marker of Adiposity in Humans

Dulbecco Telethon Institute (C.C., P.B., J.L-S., M.M.) and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sections of Endocrinology (F.S., A.M., C.P., G.S., R.C., P.V., A.P., C.C., P.B., J.L.-S., M.M.) and Metabolism (A.B., A.M.C., L.B., S.D.P.), University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; and Azienda Ospedaliera Pisana (E.P.), 56126 Pisa, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Margherita Maffei, Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ospedale di Cisanello, Via Paradisa, 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy. E-mail: mmaffei{at}dti.telethon.it.

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a glycoprotein involved in the acute phase response to inflammation. Our previous findings indicate that Hp mRNA and protein are present in the adipose tissue of rodents and that Hp gene expression is up-regulated in obese models. The aim of the present study was to establish whether Hp could be considered a marker of obesity in humans. In 312 subjects, serum Hp was correlated directly with body mass index (BMI), leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and age. In a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, BMI and CRP were independent determinants of serum Hp in females, with BMI having the strongest effect. CRP and age were independent determinants of serum Hp in males, although explaining only a modest percentage of the total variability. Serum Hp was positively associated with body fat, as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, both in female and in male groups. The level of significance improved when serum Hp was analyzed against fat mass adjusted for lean mass. Finally, Northern and Western blot analyses performed in biopsies of sc abdominal fat from 20 obese individuals showed the presence of Hp mRNA and protein in the human adipose tissue.

In conclusion, serum Hp constitutes a novel marker of adiposity in humans, and the adipose tissue likely contributes to determine its levels.

This work was supported by Compagnia San Paolo and by Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR 2002). C.C., P.B., and J.L.-S. were supported by a Telethon Fellowship. M.M. is an Assistant Telethon Scientist.

Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index; CRP, C-reactive protein; CV, coefficient(s) of variation; DEXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; FM, fat mass; Hp, haptoglobin; LBM, lean body mass; WAT, white adipose tissue.

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