Correlation of spleen metabolism assessed by F-18-FDG PET with serum interleukin-2 receptor levels and other biomarkers in patients with untreated sarcoidosis

摘要

BackgroundThe objective of our study was to assess the possible relationship between splenic F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) uptake and other established biochemical markers of sarcoidosis activity.Patients and methodsThirty treatment-naive sarcoidosis patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. They underwent biochemical laboratory tests, including serum interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), serum C-reactive protein, serum angiotensin-I converting enzyme, and 24-h urine calcium levels, and a whole-body combined F-18-FDG PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan as a part of an ongoing study at our institute. These biomarkers were statistically compared in these patients.ResultsA statistically significant linear dependence was detected between sIL-2R and log-transformed spleen-average standard uptake value (SUVavg) (R-2=0.488, P<0.0001) and log-transformed spleen-maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) (R-2=0.490, P<0.0001). sIL-2R levels and splenic size correlated linearly (Pearson's r=0.373, P=0.042). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that this correlation remained significant after age and sex adjustment (=0.001, SE=0.001, P=0.024). No statistically significant associations were detected between (a) any two serum biomarkers or (b) between spleen-SUV measurements and any serum biomarker other than sIL-2R.ConclusionOur analysis revealed an association between sIL-2R levels and spleen F-18-FDG uptake and size, whereas all other serum biomarkers were not significantly associated with each other or with PET F-18-FDG uptake. Our results suggest that splenic inflammation may be related to the systemic inflammatory response in sarcoidosis that may be associated with elevated sIL-2R levels.