Obesity and inflammation

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is a major health problem in developed countries. The etio-pathogenesis of obesity has long been a matter of speculation and study. In recent years researchers have focused on the role of inflammation in obesity. It has been shown that CRP, an acute-phase reactant, is elevated in a great number of diseases. In our study we evaluated CRP and fibrinogen in obese and non-obese subjects. Material and Methods: Thirty-two male and 82 female subjects participated in our study. Their body mass index (BMI) was measured and, after 12 hours of fasting, blood samples were taken for CRP, fibrinogen, ESR, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, VLDL and LDL-cholesterol levels. Correlations between BMI and the results of the above-mentioned analyses were examined. Results: Of the subjects participating in our study, 32 (28%) were male, 82 (72%) were female. No difference for BMI, CRP and fibrinogen levels was observed between male and female subjects (p> 0.05). HDL-cholesterol levels were 56.45 ± 15.66 mg/dL in female subjects and 41.45 ± 9.47 mg/dL in males (p= 0.0001, t= -4.98). Subjects were divided in 3 groups according to their BMI: <25, 25-30, ≥30 kg/m2. CRP levels were 2.30 ± 1.98, 4.03 ± 3.62 and 4.71 ± 4.50 mg/L, respectively, in these groups (p= 0.028, F= 3.72). Fibrinogen levels were, respectively, 303.98 ± 54.12, 337.25 ± 78.23 and 347.68 ± 96.52 mg/dL (p= 0.044, F= 3.24). Conclusion: As body mass index increases, levels of inflammatory mediators increase. This silent inflammation causes several complications and adds to the sequelae of obesity. Whether such inflammation is the cause or result of obesity and whether obesity may be influenced by anti-inflammatory therapy remains to be determined. Copyright © 2005 by Türkiye Klinikleri.