Increased serum levels of S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin in cachectic patients with COPD

Introduction

COPD is an irreversible obstructive airway disease and has obvious systemic inflammatory consequences in other organs.¹ The major symptoms of COPD are dyspnea, chronic cough, and increased airway mucus production.² The WHO has estimated that 65 million people in the world suffer from moderate-to-severe COPD and, in 2015, about 3 million people died because of COPD.³ Also, the prevalence and burden of COPD are increasing due to the changing in age structure of the world’s population and also the continued exposure to different risk factors.⁴ People suffer from COPD are at risk for serious complications including heart failure, pneumonia, depression, and cachexia.^5,6

With the disease progression, up to 25% of patients develop cachexia that subsequently leads to a 50% reduction in the average survival rate in these patients.⁷ The exact mechanism underlying cachexia is unknown, but it is suggested that dysregulation of energy metabolism and proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of cachexia.⁸

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) accounts for the largest portion of total daily energy expenditure in individuals with limited physical activity. Previously, it has been shown that the condition of COPD is associated with increased RMR.⁹ In addition, elevated RMR was observed in underweight COPD patients.¹⁰ Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying biomarkers, which were thought to play an important role in RMR and in lean/fat body mass regulation.

S100A1 is one of the exchange factor (EF)-hand family of Ca(2+)-binding proteins that is mainly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Evidence shows that S100A1 could act as a regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling of skeletal muscle and mitochondrial function.¹¹ A more recent investigation has suggested that dysregulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis might play an important role in the induction of cachexia. Moreover, genetic association studies revealed a link between S100A1 and RMR.^12,13 Although it has been suggested that S100A1 acts as a calcium sensor in adipose tissue, which could play a role in the regulation of weight,¹⁴ the association between serum levels of S100A1 with RMR is unclear.

Zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a soluble single-chain polypeptide that is present in serum and other body fluids and is secreted by several human tissues, including liver, breast, lung, and adipocytes.¹⁵ ZAG stimulates lipid loss by adipocytes and is known as the lipid mobilizing factor that may involve in the loss of adipose tissue and weight.¹⁶ Administration of ZAG to mice induces reduction in body fat and increases serum-free fatty acid levels, by activating hormone-sensitive lipase. In catabolic conditions such as cancer cachexia, enhanced expression and secretion of ZAG has been observed.¹⁷

Adiponectin is a hormone mostly produced in adipose tissue that has both anti-inflammatory and antiobesity effects.¹⁸ Previous studies showed that adiponectin plays a role in energy homeostasis by the activation of AMP kinase and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Elevated circulatory levels of adiponectin have been demonstrated in COPD patients, particularly in underweight subjects.^10,19

Thus, in this study, we hypothesized that S100A1 and ZAG may contribute to RMR and accordingly in the pathogenesis of cachexia. To the best of our knowledge, the role of S100A1 and ZAG has not been investigated in COPD patients. Moreover, the association between serum levels of S100A1 with RMR, ZAG, adiponectin, and weight loss are also unknown. Therefore, we designed our research to primarily investigate differences in RMR as well as serum levels of S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin in body mass index (BMI)-matched cachectic and noncachectic COPD patients. Second, we aimed to find possible relationships between S100A1 with RMR, ZAG, adiponectin, and weight loss in COPD patients.

Methods

Study design and participants

In this study, we enrolled 90 clinically stable outpatient males, aged 40–70 years. COPD diagnosis was based on FEV₁/FVC <70%, which is in accordance with the GOLD recommendations.²⁰ Exclusion criteria included cardiac failure and severe endocrine, hepatic, or renal disorders. Patients were divided into the following two groups based on the unintentional weight loss of >7.5% in previous 6 months: noncachectic (n=45) and cachectic (n=45). The two groups were matched for age (within 5-year age groups as 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, and 65–70 years) and BMI (within five BMI groups as <18.49, 18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, and 35–39.9 kg/m²). The study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee (no IR.TBZMED.REC.1395.779) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Pulmonary function tests

Pulmonary function including FVC, FEV₁ (% predicted), and FEV₁/FVC ratio was measured using Spirolab III (Medical International Research, Rome, Italy) and according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society.²¹ The test was performed while the participants rested for 15 minutes before measurement. A powerful forced expiration was done after maximum forced inhalation without using a nose clip.

Anthropometric and body composition measurements

Height and weight of the participants were measured to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.5 cm, respectively, with standard, calibrated scales. Previous baseline weights of participants were obtained from their medical reports. BMI was calculated as weight divided by height squared (kg/m²). Waist and arm circumference were measured using an ordinary tape with a nearest 0.5 cm. Body composition analyses including fat-free mass (FFM), fat%, and total body water (TBW) were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (BC-418; Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The FFM index (FFMI) (kg/m²) was calculated as the ratio of FFM to height in meters squared.

Measurement of RMR

RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry (Fitmate MED; COSMED, Rome, Italy) according to the oxygen consumption and production of carbon dioxide and converted to energy expenditure using formulae. Fitmate is a desktop device designed to measure oxygen consumption and energy expenditure during rest and exercise. It uses a facemask that was placed over the participant’s face in a seated and relaxed position and was attached to turbine flow meter to measure ventilation and a galvanic fuel cell oxygen sensor for analyzing the proportion of oxygen in expiration gases. The participants were instructed to rest in the supine position. The test was performed after 10–12 hours of overnight fasting. Subjects abstained from exercise for 24 hours before the test. Participants also refrained from smoking and caffeine for 12 hours before the study.

Assessment of dietary intake and appetite

Dietary intake assessment was done using the 24-hour recall method. The individuals were interviewed about their food and beverage consumption during the previous day. VAS method was used to assess hunger and eating habits. The VAS was used to evaluate appetite by using a 10 cm analog scale from poor appetite to good appetite.²²

Physical activity assessment

The Persian long-form version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the average total physical activity during the previous 7 days.²³ The total physical activity scores were calculated in metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes/week and classified into walking, moderate, and vigorous activities according to IPAQ guidelines.

Biochemical analysis

Blood samples were obtained from the patients, and the serum was separated by centrifugation at 4°C and stored at −70°C. Human ELISA kits (Eastbiopharm, Hangzhou, China) were used to measure serum levels of S100A1 (cat no CK-E90946), ZAG (cat no CK-E91945), and adiponectin (cat no CK-E10871). The absorbances were read at 450 nm using an Automatic ELISA Plate Reader (BioTek Instruments, Winooski, VT, USA).

Statistical analyses

All the analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to assess variables’ distribution normality. Categorical variables were compared with chi-squared test. Comparisons of quantitative variables between two groups were made using the independent samples’ t-test (normal distribution). In addition, the analysis of covariance was performed to adjust for confounders. Associations between variables were assessed using linear regression. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The general characteristics of the studied subjects are shown in Table 1. Age, time elapsed from diagnosis, calorie intake, and satiety score were similar in the two groups. The amount of FVC, FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC ratio in cachectic patients was lower than that in noncachectic patients. Also, cachectic group showed lower physical activity level.

Table 1 Characteristics of patients included in the study Notes: Quantitative and qualitative variables are represented as mean ± SD and frequency (%), respectively. *P-values are reported based on independent sample’s t-test. **P-values are reported based on chi-squared test.

Mean BMI level of the subjects was not statistically different between the two groups. In cachectic and noncachectic groups, the documented weight loss was 6.44±2.83 kg (8.81%±3.58%) and 0.86±2.48 kg (1.13%±3.29%), respectively. According to Table 2, body composition and anthropometric parameters’ comparison between groups showed no significant differences.

Table 2 Body composition and anthropometric parameters Notes: Data are expressed as mean ± SD. *P-values are reported based on independent samples’ t-test. Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

The mean RMR in cachectic and noncachectic subjects was 1,815.17±350.41 and 1,479.49±316.77 kcal, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, the differences between groups were statistically significant.

Figure 1 RMR (A) and serum levels of S100A1 (B), ZAG (C), and adiponectin (D) in cachectic and noncachectic groups. Notes: Data are presented as mean ± SD. P-values are reported based on ANCOVA after controlling the physical activity and RMR. Abbreviations: RMR, resting metabolic rate; ZAG, zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein.

Cachectic patients had significantly higher serum S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin levels. These differences persisted even after adjustment for physical activity and RMR (Figure 1).

As shown in Table 3, ZAG and adiponectin were associated positively with weight loss. No association was found between RMR and the blood biomarkers. Also, anthropometric and body composition parameters did not show significant association with the blood biomarkers.

Table 3 Associations between S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin with RMR, anthropometric measurements, body composition, and weight loss Note: Data analysis was done by linear regression. Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; RMR, resting metabolic rate; ZAG, zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein.

Strong and positive association was observed between S100A1 and ZAG (β=0.88), adiponectin and ZAG (β=0.86), and adiponectin and S100A1 (β=0.86) (Table 4).

Table 4 Associations between S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin Note: Data analysis was done by linear regression. Abbreviation: ZAG, zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein.

Discussion

In the present study, cachectic patients had higher RMR than noncachectic patients. Previous findings demonstrated elevated resting energy expenditure in COPD and also among underweight cachectic patients.^9,10,24 Brúsik et al examined 44 patients with COPD and found that REE was significantly higher in underweight compared to normal and obese patients.¹⁰ The need for energy in COPD patients increases due to infection and work of breathing. Breathing with healthy lungs requires 36–72 kcal/day; in patients with COPD, this amount increases by 10-fold.²⁵ Other associated factors that may well contribute to elevated RMR in cachectic patients include impairment in the muscle’s oxidative phenotype and increased reliance on glycolytic metabolism.²⁶

In this study, we reported our novel finding that the cachectic patients had higher S100A1 concentration than noncachectic patients. To our knowledge, no previous study has evaluated serum S100A1 levels in cachexia and its correlation with RMR. S100A1 interacts with mitochondrial α and β chains of F1-ATPase in a Ca2+-dependent manner.¹¹ According to the previous studies on animal models and human-specific genotypes, S100A1-F1-ATPase complex plays a key role in ATP production and energy hemostasis. An animal model study showed that mice with S100A1 knockout have reduced ATP synthase activity in cardiomyocytes.²⁷ Tran et al showed that the level of β-F1-ATPase expression in the muscles of obese people was lower than lean subjects.²⁸ However, the results of the present study did not show any association between serum levels of S100A1 and RMR. Our data provide the basis for speculation that the elevation of serum S100A1 levels may be linked to the pathogenesis of cachexia in COPD patients. However, the exact mechanism is not clear yet!

Our present study demonstrated a clear difference in ZAG levels between cachectic and noncachectic patients with no difference in fat mass. ZAG has been considered as an adipokine involved in lipid metabolism, and various studies have shown that ZAG expression and concentration were associated with increased lipolysis in tissue wasting conditions such as cancer cachexia.^17,29 In patients with COPD, Balaz et al (2015)³⁰ observed sevenfold higher expression of ZAG in cachectic than in obese patients. The exact mechanism of action of ZAG on the weight loss is not known yet. ZAG may increase lipolysis through elevated hormone-sensitive lipase activity and stimulation of β-adrenoreceptors. In addition, ZAG inhibits the activity of several key enzymes in the lipogenesis pathway that may contribute to the development of cachexia.^31,32

Our results showed that serum adiponectin levels were increased in cachectic patients. Similar to our study, in 2009, Araújo et al evaluated serum adiponectin levels in cardiac cachexia. Cachexia was defined as unintentional weight loss of more than 7/5% of the previous baseline weight. They observed that cachectic patients had significantly higher adiponectin levels than controls.³³ Adiponectin through activation of adenosine monophosphate activated kinase increases glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in peripheral tissues.³⁴ A study on mice showed decreased body weight after the administration of adiponectin without inhibiting food intake and change in serum glucose and lipid levels.³⁵

The other novel findings of the current study are the strong positive association between serum levels of adiponectin with ZAG and S100A1. We also found such an association between S100A1 and ZAG serum levels, which was also observed in our previous study among metabolic syndrome patients. Moreover, as we suggested in our previous study, production or release of S100A1 and ZAG might be related to each other mechanistically.³⁶

The relationship between adiponectin and ZAG has been demonstrated in genetic studies. Marrades et al,³⁷ in 2008, revealed positive correlation between ZAG gene expression of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and serum adiponectin. Two years later, Mracek et al³⁸ showed that a 1.5 μg/mL dose injection of recombinant ZAG in adipocytes during differentiation increased adiponectin release 1.5- to 2-fold. Thus, we speculate that one of the possible roles of ZAG might be regulation of the adiponectin.

To our knowledge, there is no other study in the literature demonstrating the relationship between adiponectin and S100A1 serum levels. However, data from separate studies suggested that the two peptides may act in a same direction. Several studies identified the impact of S100A1 on Ca2+ homeostasis through an enhanced Ca2+ release and augmented SR Ca2+ reuptake.^39,40 In contrast, adiponectin induces Ca2+ influx by adiponectin receptor 1.⁴¹ As calcium deregulation has been found in skeletal muscle of cachectic patients,⁴² it is probable that these two proteins might be related functionally.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that RMR and serum levels of S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin are independently increased in COPD patients with cachexia compared with COPD controls matched by age and BMI. Therefore, the potential role of these factors in the pathogenesis of cachexia is considerable. Strong positive association between serum levels of S100A1, ZAG, and adiponectin increase the possibility of their pathophysiological functions in cachectic patients. Further studies are required to confirm this association and reveal the exact pathophysiological mechanisms.

Acknowledgments

We thank the patients for participating in the studies. We also thank Research Vice-Chancellor and Student Research Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences for their financial support.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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