Association of adiposity, inflammation and atherosclerosis: the role of adipocytokines and CRP in Asian Indian subjects.

BACKGROUND

To reveal the exact link between adipose tissue, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we studied the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) with insulin resistance and adipocytokines in Asian Indian subjects.

METHODS

Forty-one controls, 40 obese, and 53 type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients (total 134) were recruited. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique was used to determine serum CRP and adipocytokine concentrations. Serum insulin was measured by radioimmune assay, and insulin resistance index was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Association of CRP with different adipocytokines and insulin resistance was assessed with univariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Serum leptin, resistin, and CRP levels were significantly increased and adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in obese subjects. In T2DM patients, CRP levels were increased and adiponectin levels were significantly decreased but no difference in leptin and resistin levels were found compared to controls. An important finding of this study was the significantly reduced levels of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in nonobese T2DM patients compared to their BMI-matched controls. CRP in all subjects showed a significant correlation with obesity parameters like BMI (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.01), body fat percentage (P < 0.01), HOMA-IR (P < 0.001), leptin (P < 0.05), and resistin (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of CRP with insulin resistance, adipocytokines, and resistin reveals close links between inflammation, CVD, and adipose tissue. These findings provide an exciting therapeutic opportunity in cardiovascular disease by targeting various proinflammatory cascades in adipocytes.