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Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and the inflammation markers C-reactive protein and ferritin

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 60, pages 802–809 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) have above-average risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. High levels of the acute phase reactants C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin have been reported to correlate with various components of MS.

Patients and methods:

The serum CRP, ferritin, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations of 598 obese or overweight patients were determined, together with relevant anthropometric parameters. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the HOMA method. MS was diagnosed using the ATP III criteria.

Results:

CRP levels were higher among patients with central obesity than in those without (5.8 vs 3.9 mg/l; P=0.003), and higher among those with fasting plasma glucose concentrations ⩾110 mg/dl than in those with lower concentrations (7.4 vs 4.1 mg/l; P=0.01). Serum ferritin levels were higher among patients with triglyceride concentrations ⩾150 mg/dl than in those with lower levels (76.8 vs 40.1 ng/ml; P<0.001), and higher among those with fasting plasma glucose concentrations ⩾110 mg/dl than in those with lower concentrations (75.7 vs 41.7 ng/ml; P=0.005). The number of MS criteria that were satisfied increased with CRP and ferritin levels. Patients with insulin resistance also had higher CRP and ferritin levels than those without, 7.3 vs 4.3 mg/l for CRP (P=0.032) and 124.5 vs 80.1 ng/ml for ferritin (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

MS and insulin resistance are associated with elevated serum CRP and ferritin. Evaluation of subclinical chronic inflammation in patients with MS and/or insulin resistance by determination of these markers might aid in their evaluation as candidates for aggressive intervention against cardiovascular risk factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Juan Canalejo Hospital, La Coruña, Spain

    A Soto González, D Bellido Guerrero, M Buño Soto & O Vidal

  2. Clinical Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Juan Canalejo Hospital, La Coruña, Spain

    S Pértega Díaz

  3. Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital Mexoeiro, Vigo, Spain

    M Martinez-Olmos

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  1. A Soto González
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Correspondence to A Soto González.

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Guarantor: A Soto González.

Contributors: ASG had the original idea, analyzed the data, wrote the first draft, and edited subsequent versions. DBG and MBS analyzed the data, and edited the manuscript, SPD carried out the statistical analysis, MM-O supervised the field data collection, and OV supervised the study, and edited the manuscript.

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González, A., Guerrero, D., Soto, M. et al. Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and the inflammation markers C-reactive protein and ferritin. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 802–809 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602384

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