Relationship of obesity and visceral adiposity with serum concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between serum concentrations of the cytokines C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6, and obesity and visceral adiposity.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 100 Korean adults free from pre-existing inflammatory disease or cancer was performed. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and serum concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured. In 46 obese subjects, fat mass was assessed by bioimpedance analysis and abdominal fat distribution was determined by computerized tomography scan.

RESULTS

Overall, serum concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly correlated with weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio. In obese subjects, CRP and IL-6 were significantly correlated with BMI, waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis showed that CRP was significantly associated with BMI, whereas IL-6 was significantly related with visceral adiposity in obese subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive associations of obesity and visceral adiposity with elevated cytokine levels suggest the importance of reducing obesity and visceral adiposity to prevent elevations in cytokine levels.