Decreased levels of circulating alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein/Fetuin-A (AHSG) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Alpha2-Heremans Schmid glycoprotein/Fetuin-A (AHSG) is a circulating negative acute-phase protein, which inhibits bimineralization. It is often considered as a potential mediator between chronic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. The metabolism of AHSG in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown. Serum AHSG concentrations were measured in 102 patients with RA using a newly developed indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum AHSG levels in the RA patients were significantly lower than that in healthy volunteers (249.8 +/- 84.1 vs 425.0 +/- 93.0 microg/ml, P<0.0001). Serum C-reactive protein concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were inversely correlated, while albumin, hemoglobin and total cholesterol were positively correlated with AHSG. Current serum AHSG levels did not affect the presence of aortic calcification, whereas cumulative glucocorticoid dosage was significantly related to aortic calcification (P=0.005). Serum AHSG levels were significantly decreased in patients with RA. The levels reflected inflammatory and malnutritional conditions. Its role in the development of cardiovascular diseases or inflammatory bone resorption remain uncertain in RA patients.