Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and metabolic-related parameters in systemic lupus erythematosus active and non-active episode

Abstract

Objective To assess serum FABP4 and other metabolic-related parameters in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) active and non-active episode.

Methods Fifty-four SLE patients in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia in 2018–2019 were recruited and serum samples were collected in their active and non-active episode status. Serum was analyzed for FABP4, leptin, glucose, and triglycerides. The clinical characteristics were analyzed from medical records. Disease activity was assessed with the SLEDAI-2K (≥4 defined as an active; <4 as non-active episode).

Results Significantly correlation of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (p = 0.001, r = 0.59) and C3 (p = 0.04, r = 0.47) between active and non-active episode. In non-active episode, there was significant correlation of FABP4 with Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (p = 0.04, r = 0.26) and blood glucose (p = 0.01, r = −0.39). In active episode, there was significant correlation FABP4 with SBP (p = 0.04, r = −0.28) and triglyceride (p = 0.002, r = 0.55).

Conclusion FABP4 correlates with high DBP in the non-active and high triglyceride serum in the active episode.

Keywords Systemic lupus erythematosus, fatty acid binding protein 4, serum metabolite, SLEDAI-2K