Serum retinol binding protein-4 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin are interrelated in pancreatic cancer patients

Abstract

Objectives. Pancreatic cancer has an extremely dismal clinical course and high fatality rate. Knowing that, adipokines could regulate insulin resistance, inflammation, immunity and carcinogenesis. Accordingly, an understanding of adipokines in relation to pancreatic cancer could be useful to improve disease outcome. We aimed to determine serum retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4) and neutophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover, we assessed their association with tumor severity and with each other. Methods. A total of 23 pancreatic cancer patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Fifteen of the pancreatic cancer patients underwent Whipple resection and were examined before and after operation. Serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, CA19-9, RBP-4 and NGAL were estimated by ELISA. Results. Significant elevation in serum concentrations of RBP-4 (64.4 ± 5.6 ng/ml) and NGAL (142(80–235) ng/ml) at p < 0.001 was found in pancreatic cancer patients. Both RBP-4 and NGAL were significantly lower after operation than before operation. Moreover, NGAL was elevated in advanced pathological T stage. Interestingly, RBP-4 and NGAL levels were positively correlated (r = 0.484, p = 0.05) and they are associated with some of the lipid profile parameters. Conclusions. Elevated serum RBP-4 and NGAL are associated with pancreatic cancer. They were positively interrelated; highlighting the possible interplay between them in pancreatic cancer.

Key Words::

• CA19-9
• insulin resistance
• lipocalins
• NGAL
• pancreatic cancer
• RBP-4

Acknowledgements

None.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.