Relationship between C3 levels and common carotid intima-media thickness in overweight and obese patients

The study aim was to compare C3 levels with the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) in subjects of both genders, with a wide range of BMI, independently of age, gender, and abdominal obesity.

140 euthyroid, mainly overweight/obese subjects (age 18-30 years) were examined. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting insulin, glucose, lipids, C3 and C-reactive protein serum concentrations, and insulin resistance degree (estimated by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMAIR)) were measured.

CCA-IMT was positively (p < 0.001) correlated with BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HOMAIR, and insulin, CRP, and C3 serum levels. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that only male gender and waist circumference maintained an independent relation with the CCA-IMT.

This study suggests that central fat accumulation and male gender independently increase the thickness of the arterial wall, whereas inflammation and inflammatory markers do not have an independent effect on this parameter.