Association Between Low-Grade Inflammation and Hyperuricemia in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome in Yucatán, México.

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is commonly diagnosed among individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Nevertheless, the association of HUA in individuals with MetS among the Mexican population is mostly unexplored. Low-grade inflammation has been postulated to have a key role in the pathogenesis of MetS and has been linked to insulin resistance (IR). However, it is uncertain whether HUA is associated with elevated levels of interleukin-6 and -10 (IL-6 and IL-10, respectively) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in individuals with MetS. Our main goal was to assess the values of inflammatory markers in a Mexican adult population without and with MetS and HUA.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 250 adults (77 men, 173 women) was carried out at a tertiary hospital in Mérida, Yucatán, México. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and hs-CRP were evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between different conditions and inflammatory markers was analyzed using the point-biserial correlation (r) among patients.

RESULTS

IR was positively associated with higher levels of serum uric acid (SUA). Serum levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP were found to be significantly associated with MetS, HUA and combined clinical conditions of MetS and HUA in women. Inter-relationships were stronger in women than in men.

CONCLUSIONS

An association between levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in women with MetS and HUA was found. Therefore, screening and monitoring of SUA and these markers in patients with MetS may be an alternative for treatment of these metabolic conditions.