Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Neuropediatrics Service,
Hospital Clínico Universitario, School of Medicine, University of Santiago
de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain | Central Laboratory Service, Hospital Clínico
Universitario, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela,
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Manuel Castro-Gago, M.D., Neuropediatrics
Service, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario, La
Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Tel.: +34 981 951121; Fax:
+34 981 531987; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: There is evidence that muscle forms part of endocrine networks,
secreting/or responding to circulating agents such as leptin and interleukin-6
as well as the classical hormone insulin. To gain further insight into the
possible role of these hormones and cytokines in muscle degenerative diseases,
we investigate their concentrations in sera from patients with muscular
dystrophy and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. In 13 patients with muscular
dystrophy, in eight patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, and in 8
age-matched healthy control subjects, the concentrations of leptin, insulin,
insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3
(IGFBP-3), interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 in sera were determined. The only
statistically significant difference between patient groups and controls was
lower IGFBP-3 levels in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Save the
IGFBP-3, the other hormones and cytokines measured do not appear to be involved
in the pathophysiology of these myopathies, at least in an endocrine, as
opposed to a para-or autocrine, role.
