Inter-relationships of interleukin-6, cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome among older men.

OBJECTIVES

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. We have examined the relationship between plasma IL-6 and insulin resistance, and metabolic, inflammatory and hemostatic markers.

METHODS

We examined 3490 men aged 60-79 years who were drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. The men were not diabetic and were not taking warfarin.

RESULTS

IL-6 was significantly associated with age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), cigarette smoking, low physical activity, social class and alcohol intake (U-shaped). IL-6 showed no association with insulin resistance or its other components (blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure) except high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (inversely), and no association with hematocrit, factor (F) VII or adiponectin after adjustment for age and WC. IL-6 was strongly associated with markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, white cell count); plasma viscosity; elevated markers of coagulation (fibrin D-dimer, FVIII, FIX); markers of endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator); and to a smaller extent with platelet count, APC ratio and gamma glutamyltransferase. Risk of the metabolic syndrome increased significantly with increasing IL-6 but was attenuated after adjustment for BMI.

CONCLUSION

IL-6 may have a potential role as a mediator between cardiovascular risk factors and several biological mechanisms for cardiovascular disease.