Complement C3 and cleavage products in cardiometabolic risk
Altan Onat1, Günay Can, Reza Rezvani
1Cardiology Department, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. alt_onat@yahoo.com.tr
Summary
Serum complement component 3 (C3) is linked to metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. Elevated C3 levels predict metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk, especially in women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic Science
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Serum complement component 3 (C3) is a key immune protein produced by the liver, adipocytes, and macrophages.
- C3 and its cleavage products play a role in linking lipoproteins, metabolism, and immunity.
- Metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases are associated with altered C3 levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the available evidence on the role of serum C3 and its cleavage products in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
- To explore the association between C3 concentrations and metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
- To understand the clinical and public health implications of C3's involvement in these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and evidence.
- Analysis of associations between C3 levels and various metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Examination of logistic regression models to predict incident metabolic syndrome and related conditions.
Main Results:
- Circulating C3 is linearly associated with triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), and waist circumference.
- Elevated C3 concentrations predict metabolic syndrome in women and interact with metabolic syndrome to confer risk for type-2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in men.
- C3 activation contributes to the development of diabetogenic and atherogenic lipoprotein particles and produces bioactive peptides influencing metabolic phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Serum C3 is an independent predictor of cardiometabolic risk, playing a significant role in metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- C3 may act as a signal for immune processes that exacerbate metabolic dysfunction and atherogenesis.
- These findings highlight the clinical and public health importance of understanding C3's role in metabolic and cardiovascular health.
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