The Relationship of Body Mass Index with Insulin Resistance, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) Levels in Female Gender

Abstract

Background and Aim: Chronic obesity causes adipose tissue to produce mediators that promote atherogenesis and vascular inflammation, contributing to hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in females. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty-one females participated in the study: 46 morbidly obese, 38 obese, 25 overweight, and 22 normal BMI. To determine insulin resistance, all participants had their HOMA-IR values assessed. As an inflammatory marker, hs-CRP and as a lipid biomarker, Lp(a) were checked. Results: A significant difference in the HOMA-IR was found between the normal and the obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001) participants. There was also a significant difference in terms of HOMA-IR between the overweight and morbidly obese (P = 0.001) groups. In paired-group comparisons, hs-CRP was found to be significantly different between the normal group and obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). Additionally, a significant difference in terms of hs-CRP between the overweight and morbidly obese participants (P = 0.003) was found. When Lp(a) values were compared, there was a significant difference between the normal group and those who were overweight (P = 0.0001), obese (P = 0.0001), and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). A significant positive correlation of BMI was shown with HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) levels. Conclusion: Elevated BMI in females is related to insulin resistance, elevated hs-CRP, and Lp(a), which confer a residual risk for CVD.