Inflammatory mediators in morbidly obese subjects associated with glucose homeostasis abnormalities
This cross-sectional study was designed to explore inflammatory mediators in 144 morbidly obese subjects with various categories of glucose tolerance. Patients were classified into three categories: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance and new-onset diabetes; 27 normal-weight normoglycaemic subjects were recruited as controls. In obese patients, fasting levels of both leptin and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (a naturally-occurring anti-inflammatory protein) were significantly higher. Compared to controls, obese NGT patients exhibited higher CRP levels and lower adiponectin levels. However, obese NGT patients showed lower CRP and higher adiponectin levels when compared with new onset diabetes patients. During oral glucose tolerance testing, serum levels of osteoprotegerin and visfatin increased transiently, but no significant between-group difference was observed. According to these findings, morbid obesity and glucose intolerance are associated with lower adiponectin and higher CRP levels, corroborating a relationship between obesity, glucose homeostasis and low-grade systemic inflammation.


















