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Significant correlation between visceral adiposity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in Japanese

Daisuke Tsuriya1, Hiroshi Morita, Tetsu Morioka

  • 1The Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|November 16, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Visceral fat is the primary predictor of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in Japanese individuals with mild obesity or impaired glucose tolerance. This finding highlights the importance of visceral fat in low-grade inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) indicates low-grade inflammation, atherosclerosis, obesity, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.
  • The primary driver of inflammation remains unidentified, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between hs-CRP and clinical/biochemical characteristics in Japanese subjects with mild obesity or impaired glucose tolerance.
  • To identify the strongest predictor of inflammation among various clinical and biochemical factors.

Main Methods:

  • 112 Japanese subjects (aged <65) with specific obesity or impaired glucose tolerance criteria were enrolled.
  • Physical and laboratory examinations, including waist circumference, HOMA-IR, and computed tomography for fat area, were conducted.
  • hs-CRP levels were measured and correlated with various clinical and biochemical parameters.

Main Results:

  • hs-CRP showed significant correlations with BMI, HOMA-IR, insulin response, intima-media thickness, visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis identified visceral fat as the most significant correlate of hs-CRP.
  • Visceral fat area exhibited the strongest association (r=0.423, p<0.0001) with hs-CRP levels.

Conclusions:

  • Visceral fat mass is a significant and independent predictor of serum hs-CRP levels.
  • These findings are relevant for Japanese individuals experiencing mild obesity and/or impaired glucose tolerance.
  • Understanding the link between visceral fat and hs-CRP can inform strategies for managing inflammation and related conditions.
Abstract

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