Related Experiment Videos
C-reactive protein levels in subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity
Merlin G Butler1, Douglas C Bittel, Nataliya Kibiryeva
1Section of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
Insights
Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity exhibit elevated C-reactive protein levels, indicating a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
- Cardiology
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by infantile hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hypogonadism, developmental delay, behavioral issues, and hyperphagia leading to early-onset obesity.
- Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are established biomarkers for CVD risk.
- No prior studies have investigated CRP levels or CVD risk associated with obesity in individuals with PWS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and obesity.
- To compare CRP levels in PWS subjects with those of non-syndromic obese individuals and healthy adults.
- To assess the potential cardiovascular disease risk associated with obesity in PWS.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study design was employed.
- Plasma samples were collected from subjects with PWS and obesity, as well as from a comparison group of non-syndromic obese individuals.
- An immunoassay technique was utilized to quantify C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Anthropometric and body composition data were also collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The mean CRP concentration in 28 subjects with PWS (mean BMI 35.9) was 10.3 mg/L, which was significantly higher than the mean value of 2.6 mg/L in 100 healthy adults.
- The mean CRP concentration in 22 non-syndromic obese subjects (mean BMI 36.6) was 8.8 mg/L, also significantly higher than in healthy adults.
- CRP levels were similar between the PWS and non-syndromic obese groups, with both groups showing elevated levels compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity have significantly elevated C-reactive protein levels compared to healthy adults.
- The CRP levels in PWS subjects with obesity were comparable to those in non-syndromic obese individuals.
- Elevated CRP levels suggest that individuals with PWS and obesity are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, similar to other obese populations.
Purpose:
Prader-Willi syndrome is characterized by infantile hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hypogonadism, small hands and feet, mental deficiency, behavioral problems, and hyperphagia leading to obesity in early childhood. To date there have been no studies examining the associated risk of cardiovascular disease related to obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome, nor of circulating biomarkers such as C-reactive protein known to be predictive of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we have measured the levels of C-reactive protein in a descriptive study of a cohort of Prader-Willi syndrome and comparison subjects.
Methods:
An immunoassay was used to quantify C-reactive protein in plasma samples from subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity and compared to anthropometric and body composition data.
Results:
The mean circulating C-reactive protein concentration for 28 subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome (13 females, 15 males; mean age 24.6 +/- 11.6 years; mean body mass index 35.9 +/- 11.9) was 10.3 +/- 8.8 mg/L. The mean C-reactive protein concentration for 22 nonsyndromic obese subjects (16 females, 6 males; mean age 32.3 +/- 12.2 years; mean body mass index 36.6 +/- 10.7) was 8.8 +/- 10.9 mg/L. The reported mean value for C-reactive protein was 2.6 +/- 3.0 mg/L from 100 healthy adults.
Conclusions:
The mean C-reactive protein values were similar between the subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity but significantly higher in Prader-Willi syndrome and obese subjects relative to normative data. Increased levels of C-reactive protein (>3.0 mg/L) are associated with cardiovascular disease suggesting subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome as well as obese subjects are at a similar increased risk.
