Circulating Beta-Defensin 2 Levels Correlate with Conventional Inflammatory Markers in Infection-Free Individuals...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Intestinal dysbiosis is linked to inflammation in metabolic disorders.
• Beta-defensin 2, an antimicrobial peptide, is a potential biomarker for gut dysbiosis.
• The role of beta-defensin 2 in obesity is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare circulating beta-defensin 2 levels in individuals with overweight/obesity versus lean controls.
• To investigate correlations between beta-defensin 2 and inflammatory markers in this population.

Main Methods:

• 81 participants were categorized into obesity, overweight, and normal BMI groups.
• Evaluated beta-defensin 2, interleukin-6, presepsin, hs-CRP, and ferritin.
• Participants were free of infection and diabetes mellitus.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in beta-defensin 2 levels were observed between groups (p=0.936).
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was elevated in the obesity group (p=0.044).
• Beta-defensin 2 positively correlated with presepsin (p=0.012).

Conclusions:

• Obesity is associated with increased systemic inflammation, indicated by elevated hs-CRP.
• Beta-defensin 2 levels may correlate with systemic inflammation in infection-free individuals with obesity.
• Further research with larger studies is needed to explore combined biomarker evaluation in obesity.