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 Twenty-five adults with AN and obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m(2)), 25 adults with obesity but no AN, and 25 healthy controls (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)) 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 Acanthosis nigricans is a non-invasive and reliable sign of the underlying MetS and increased serum chemerin levels among individuals with obesity.