Buyukberber M, Koruk M, Savas MC, Gulsen MT, Pehlivan Y, Deveci R, Sevinc A, Gergerlioglu S. Leptin levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ascites. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13(3): 398-402 [PMID: 17230608 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i3.398]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Alper Sevinc, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, TR-27310 Gaziantep, Turkey. sevinc@gantep.edu.tr
Article-Type of This Article
Clinical Research
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2007; 13(3): 398-402 Published online Jan 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i3.398
Leptin levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ascites
Mehmet Buyukberber, Mehmet Koruk, M Cemil Savas, Murat T Gulsen, Yavuz Pehlivan, Rukiye Deveci, Alper Sevinc, Serdar Gergerlioglu
Mehmet Buyukberber, Mehmet Koruk, M Cemil Savas, Murat T Gulsen, Department of Gastroenterology, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey
Yavuz Pehlivan, Department of Internal Medicine, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey
Rukiye Deveci, Department of Biochemistry, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey
Alper Sevinc, Department of Medical Oncology, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey
Serdar Gergerlioglu, Department of Physiology, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Alper Sevinc, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, TR-27310 Gaziantep, Turkey. sevinc@gantep.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-342-4720711 Fax: +90-342-4720718
Received: August 24, 2006 Revised: October 17, 2006 Accepted: December 4, 2006 Published online: January 21, 2007
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of ascites.
METHODS: Ascitic leptin, TNFα and serum leptin levels were measured in 77 patients with ascites (35 with malignancies, 30 cirrhosis and 12 tuberculosis). Control serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy subjects. Leptin and TNFα levels were measured by ELISA. Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BFM) by skin fold measurement were calculated for all patients and control groups. Peritoneal biopsy, ascites cytology and cultures or biochemical values were used for the diagnosis of patients.
RESULTS: In patients with malignancies, the mean serum and ascites leptin levels and their ratios were significantly decreased compared to the other patient groups and controls. In tuberculosis peritonitis, ascitic fluid TNFα levels were significantly higher than malignant ascites and cirrhotic sterile ascites. BMI and BFM values did not distinguish between patients and controls.
CONCLUSION: In patients with malignant ascites, levels of leptin and TNFα were significantly lower than in patients with tuberculous ascites.
