Association of Low Interleukin-10 Levels with the Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Women

Abstract

The potential role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in human obesity is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that low serum IL-10 concentrations associate with the metabolic syndrome in obese women. Compared with 50 matched nonobese women, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (>/=3 of the following abnormalities: waist circumference, >88 cm; triglycerides, >1.69 mmol/liter; high density lipoprotein cholesterol, <1.29 mmol/liter; blood pressure, >130/85 mm Hg; glucose, >6.1 mmol/liter) was higher in 50 obese women (52% vs. 16%; P < 0.01). As a group, obese women had higher circulating levels of IL-6, C-reactive protein, and IL-10 than nonobese women. In both obese and nonobese women, IL-10 levels were lower in those with than in women without the metabolic syndrome: obese, 1.3 (0.7/2.1) pg/ml vs. 4.5 (4.3/7.4) pg/ml (median and quartiles; P < 0.01); and nonobese, 0.9 (0.7/1.3) pg/ml vs. 1.3 (0.9/3.3) pg/ml (P < 0.05). After 12 months of a lifestyle program, body weight decreased by 10.9 +/- 1.7 kg and was associated with a significant decrement of IL-6, C-reactive protein, and IL-10 levels; the decrease in IL-10 levels was confined to obese women without the metabolic syndrome. These results show that circulating levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are elevated in obese women and that low IL-10 levels are associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Obesity Is an Important Determinant of Baseline Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Monozygotic Twins, Independent of Genetic Influences

“…The strong and independent relationship between CRP and obesity may explain the observation that weight loss induced by caloric restriction 38,[47][48][49][50] or gastric surgery [51][52][53] reduced CRP levels in studies of obese subjects. Although reductions in CRP levels were strongly correlated with the amount of weight or fat mass lost in some studies, 38,48,52 others suggest that weight-induced decreases in CRP may be dependent on baseline insulin sensitivity.…”

Mediterranean diet improves erectile function in subjects with the metabolic syndrome

“…3,4 Several recent studies also suggest that a proinflammatory state and endothelial dysfunction also associate with the metabolic syndrome. [5][6][7][8][9][10] We have recently shown that subjects with the metabolic syndrome had increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) (26.7 vs 13%, P ¼ 0.03); moreover, there was an increase in ED prevalence (International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF o21) as the number of components of the metabolic syndrome increased, suggesting that the cumulative burden of cardiovascular risk may be central to the pathogenesis of ED. 11 Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective in reducing both the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the cardiovascular risk associated with.…”

Mediterranean diet improves sexual function in women with the metabolic syndrome

“…3,4 Several recent studies also suggest that a proinflammatory state and an endothelial dysfunction are also associated with the metabolic syndrome. [5][6][7] Interestingly enough, each component of the metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), including diabetes mellitus, 8 hypertension, 9 dyslipidemia 10 and obesity. 11 We have recently shown that women with the metabolic syndrome had increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction; 12 moreover, there was an increase in sexual dysfunction prevalence as the number of components of the metabolic syndrome increased, suggesting that the cumulative burden of cardiovascular risk may play a role in FSD.…”