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Inflammation tied to metabolic health
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New data suggest that lower levels of inflammation may account for better metabolic health in obese and nonobese people.
“In our study, metabolically healthy people — both obese and nonobese — had lower levels of a range of inflammatory markers,” researcher Catherine Phillips, BSc, PhD, of University College Cork in Ireland, said in a press release. “Regardless of their BMI, people with favorable inflammatory profiles also tended to have healthy metabolic profiles.”
For this study, the researchers categorized a cross-sectional sample of 2,047 participants aged 45 to 74 years from the Cork and Kerry Diabetes and Heart Disease Study (Phase II) as obese (BMI ≥30) or nonobese (BMI <30). Lifestyle questionnaires, physical and clinical assessments, and blood testing were used to assess participants’ BMI, metabolic profiles and inflammatory markers.
Results suggested an association between inflammatory markers and metabolic health status, according to the study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The researchers observed lower concentrations of complement component 3, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in both obese and nonobese participants who were, by most definitions, considered metabolically healthy. These participants also had decreased white blood cell counts and higher adiponectin levels when compared with metabolically unhealthy participants.
Additionally, according to logistic regression analysis, metabolically healthy obesity was more likely to occur in participants with lower levels of complement component 3 (OR=2.0-3.5), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (OR=1.7-2.9) and white blood cells (OR=2.1-2.5), and higher adiponectin concentrations (OR=2.6-4.0).
“From a public health standpoint, we need better methods for identifying which obese people face the greatest risk of diabetes and heart disease. Inflammatory markers offer a potential strategy for pinpointing people who could benefit most from medical interventions,” Phillips said.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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