Original Article

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 802–809. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602384; published online 22 February 2006

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

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.

A Soto González1, D Bellido Guerrero1, M Buño Soto1, S Pértega Díaz2, M Martinez-Olmos3 and O Vidal1

  1. 1Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Juan Canalejo Hospital, La Coruña, Spain
  2. 2Clinical Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Juan Canalejo Hospital, La Coruña, Spain
  3. 3Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital Mexoeiro, Vigo, Spain

Correspondence: A Soto González, Hospital Juan Canalejo, Xubias de Arriba 84, 15006, La Coruña, Spain. E-mail: Asoto@canalejo.org

Received 6 June 2005; Revised 3 November 2005; Accepted 11 November 2005; Published online 22 February 2006.

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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 greater than or equal to110 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 greater than or equal to150 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 greater than or equal to110 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.

Keywords:

metabolic syndrome, inflammation, C-reactive protein, ferritin

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