Comparison of serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and interleukin 6 between elderly Korean women with normal and impaired glucose tolerance

K. M. Choi, J. Lee, K. W. Lee, J. A. Seo, J. H. Oh, S. G. Kim, N. H. Kim, D. S. Choi, S. H. Baik

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69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study was performed to compare concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) as well as acute-phase protein, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) between subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The purpose of this study was to verify whether the pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced acute-phase response is a pathogenic mechanism in type 2 diabetes in elderly Korean women. A total of 1737 elderly subjects aged over 60 years participated in a population based study in Seoul, Korea (SWS Study 1999). Amongst them, a total of 232 non-smoking and non-diabetic female subjects aged 60-89 years was randomly selected and compared with each other. Higher serum high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) concentrations were shown in subjects with IGT than those with normal glucose tolerance (median 1.2 versus 0.9, P<0.05). Moreover, a relationship between serum hs-CRP concentrations and many components of the metabolic syndrome were detected. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 or TNF-α concentrations, however, were neither increased in subjects with IGT nor closely correlated with the components of the metabolic syndrome. In multiple regression analysis with stepwise selection method using hs-CRP as a dependent variable, it was found that white blood cell (WBC) counts, body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, post-load 2h glucose, hematocrit and LDL cholesterol were significant independent variables. Our study confirms that increased acute-phase reaction is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and the metabolic syndrome in elderly Korean women. However, the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced systemic inflammation is an early metabolic defect prior to onset of type 2 diabetes, is not supported in our study of elderly Korean women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)99-106
Number of pages8
JournalDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume64
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004 May
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • C-reactive protein
  • CRP
  • HOMA
  • Homeostasis model assessment
  • IL-6
  • IR
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Insulin resistance
  • Interleukin 6
  • TNF-α
  • Tumor necrosis factor α
  • Type 2 diabetes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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