The levels of circulating and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 are associated with chronic renal injury in obese men.

BACKGROUND

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a vital inflammatory marker of obesity. Whether obesity by itself increases the risk of chronic kidney injury and accelerates its progression is unknown. More importantly, it is unknown whether obesity could induce kidney injury by MCP-1.

METHODS

We enrolled 40 obese men and 26 healthy volunteers who served as controls. The degree of insulin resistance was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) method, and kidney function was determined based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, the concentration of serum cystatin C (S-CysC), and the urinary cystatin C to creatinine ratio (UCCR).

RESULTS

The obese subjects had significantly higher S-CysC concentration (1114±288 vs.962±169 mg/L, p=0.021) and a higher UCCR (3.5±1.6 vs. 2.5±0.8 μg/g, p=0.002) than those of controls. The concentration of circulating MCP-1 and the urinary MCP-1 to creatinine ratio (UMCR) were higher in the obese group and were correlated with fat mass and HOMA-IR. Using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, circulating MCP-1 concentration was found to be independently associated with the amount of S-CysC. In addition, the UMCR was independently associated with the UCCR.

CONCLUSION

The concentrations of circulating and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 are associated with chronic renal injury in obese men.