Assessment of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), adiponectin, and other adipokines as potential markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis: a cross-sectional study

To date, the association of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and serum adipokines with lupus nephritis is controversial. To assess the utility of serum MIF, leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels as markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis. Cross-sectional study including 196 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs). Disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Renal SLE involvement was investigated by renal-SLEDAI. MIF, adiponectin, leptin and resistin levels were quantified by ELISA. We assessed the correlations of quantitative variables by Spearman correlation (r ). Multivariable linear regression adjusted the variables associated with the severity of proteinuria. SLE patients had higher MIF ( = 0.02) and adiponectin (