Short-term changes in inflammatory response protein (hsCRP) do not parallel with changes in coronary vasoreactivity in obese men

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803164

Abstract

Aim:

Obese subjects are characterized by increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and coronary vascular resistance. Clucocorticoids suppress inflammation, a possible cardioprotective effect. We tested the short-term anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone (dx) on these parameters in obese subjects.

Methods:

Coronary vascular resistance was quantitated basally and during adenosine infusion with or without simultaneous euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (insulin infusion rate of 1 mU/kg/min) in 11 obese and 19 age-matched nonobese males using positron emission tomography and ¹⁵O-water. Each subject was studied both with and without previous dx treatment for 2 days (2 mg/day).

Results:

Before dx treatment, hsCRP concentration was significantly higher in obese than in nonobese subjects (1.55 plusminus 1.73 vs 0.320.32 mg/l, P=0.005). In addition, coronary vascular resistances were higher (P<0.05) in obese than in nonobese subjects at baseline (13936 vs 11722) and during adenosine infusion without (327 vs 267) or with simultaneous clamp (268 vs 215 mmHg min g/ ml). Dx treatment decreased significantly hsCRP concentration in obese but not in nonobese subjects, leading to similar hsCRP concentrations between the groups (0.45 plusminus 0.43 vs 0.260.42 mg/l, respectively, P=0.3). Dx had no effect on coronary vascular resistances (NS).

Conclusions:

Obese subjects are characterized by high hsCRP, which can be normalized by dx. However, despite this, coronary vascular resistances did not decrease in obese subjects. Short-term changes in inflammatory response protein appear not to parallel with changes in coronary vasoreactivity in obese men.

Keywords:

obese subjects, hsCRP, coronary vascular resistance, positron emission tomography, dexamethasone

Original Article