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Creatine kinase is associated with reduced inflammation in a general population: The Tromsø study
Svein Ivar Bekkelund1,2, Stein Harald Johnsen1,2
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Insights
Creatine kinase (CK) shows an inverse relationship with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), suggesting potential anti-inflammatory properties in the general population. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and clinical implications of this association.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Health
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Obesity is linked to inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
- Creatine kinase (CK) has been observed to reduce inflammation in obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between creatine kinase (CK) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in a general population.
- To explore potential anti-inflammatory roles of CK.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the population-based Tromsø study, including 5969 men and 6827 women aged 30-87.
- Measured CK and hs-CRP levels and performed sex-stratified correlation and regression analyses.
- Adjusted for various health markers including age, BMI, lipids, and glucose.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between CK and hs-CRP in both men and women (P <0.001).
- CK levels declined with increasing hs-CRP quartiles.
- Multiple regression analysis confirmed an independent inverse association between CK and hs-CRP after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions:
- Creatine kinase (CK) is inversely and independently associated with hs-CRP in the general population.
- These findings suggest that CK may possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- The precise mechanisms and clinical significance of this association require further investigation.
Background:
Creatine kinase (CK) has been associated with reduced inflammation in obesity while inflammation is associated with obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the relationship between CK and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in a general population.
Methods:
CK and hs-CRP were measured in the population-based Tromsø study that included entire birth cohorts and random samples of citizens between 30-87 years of age. The analyses were performed sex-stratified in 5969 men and 6827 women.
Results:
CK correlated negatively with hs-CRP in men (r = -0.08, P <0.001) and women (r = -0.06, P <0.001). In univariable regression analyses, CK associated negatively with hs-CRP in men (ß = -0.14, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.10, P <0.001) and women (ß = -0.13, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.08, P <0.001). Mean CK declined from the 2. to the 4. quartiles of hs-CRP in both genders (P <0.001 for trends). There were positive correlations between CK and body mass index (BMI) in men (r = 0.10, P <0.001) and women (r = 0.07, P <0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed a 0.13 unit decrease in hs-CRP (mg/dl) per unit CK increase in men (95% CI -0.35 to -0.20) and 0.29 mg/dl in women (95% CI -0.36 to -0.21) when adjusted for age, BMI, lipids, s-glucose, s-creatinine, transaminases and coronary heart disease.
Conclusion:
CK were inversely and independently associated with hs-CRP in a general population. These data provide evidence that CK might have anti-inflammatory properties, but the mechanism and clinical implications are unclarified.
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