Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:39
Basic Three-Dimensional (3D) Intestinal Model System with an Immune Component
Published on: September 1, 2023
Integrated Inflammatory Biomarker Profiling Differentiates Degrees of Body Mass Index Beyond Intestinal
Theocharis Koufakis1, Areti Kourti2, Katerina Thsiadou2
1Second Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Cells
|May 13, 2026
Summary
A new composite inflammatory biomarker index effectively identifies obesity, unlike gut barrier markers. This index reflects the biological burden of obesity, offering a more integrated approach than single markers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Obesity is linked to low-grade systemic inflammation and altered gut immunity, potentially causing metabolic dysfunction.
- Composite biomarker indices may offer a more comprehensive assessment of these complex biological processes than individual markers.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for managing obesity-related health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate composite biomarker indices for systemic inflammation and intestinal barrier activity in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) categories.
- To determine if these indices can differentiate between normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals without diabetes or infection.
- To explore the potential of integrated biomarker approaches in assessing obesity-related biological burden.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 88 adults categorized by BMI (<25, 25-29.9, ≥30 kg/m²).
- Measurement of circulating inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, ferritin, IL-6, presepsin) and intestinal barrier markers (β-defensin-2, REG3A).
- Creation of an Inflammatory Load Index and a Barrier Activation Index; statistical analyses included ANOVA, ROC analysis, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Individual biomarkers showed minimal differences across BMI categories.
- The Inflammatory Load Index significantly differed across BMI categories (p=0.040), being higher in individuals with BMI ≥30 kg/m² compared to those with BMI 25-29.9 kg/m² (p=0.032).
- The Barrier Activation Index did not show significant differences across BMI categories (p=0.257). The Inflammatory Load Index discriminated obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) with an AUC of 0.720, and each SD increase was associated with higher odds of obesity (OR=2.34, p=0.011).
Conclusions:
- A composite index of inflammatory biomarkers, but not intestinal barrier markers, can differentiate degrees of BMI in adults without diabetes.
- These findings support the utility of integrated biomarker approaches for reflecting the biological impact of obesity.
- Further research with longitudinal data is needed to establish causality.
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