Circulating IL-6, clusterin and irisin in obese subjects with different grades of obesity: association with insulin resistance and sexual dimorphism.

Rehab H Werida,Nashwa M El-Gharbawy,Tarek M Mostafa

doi:10.20945/2359-3997000000336

Abstract

There are discrepancies about the relationship of IL-6, clusterin and irisin with obesity and obesity associated insulin resistance and also about their sexual dimorphism. This study aimed at evaluating the circulating levels of IL-6, clusterin and irisin in obese subjects of both sexes who had different grades of obesity and examining their sexual dimorphism and their association with insulin resistance. This study included 176 non-diabetic subjects of both sexes who were classified according to their sex into two groups; the male and the female groups. The male group (88 men) was classified according to BMI into; group 1 (22 lean men), group 2 (22 class I obese men), group 3 (22 class II obese men) and group 4 (22 class III obese men). The female group (88 women) was classified according to BMI exactly as the male group. Metabolic parameters, IL-6, clusterin, and irisin levels were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test, post hoc Tukey's test and independent t-test. Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between variables. In obese subjects of both sexes, circulating IL-6, clusterin and irisin levels were significantly elevated and positively correlated with HOMA-IR. Obese males showed significantly higher HOMA-IR, IL-6, clusterin and irisin levels than obese females. Obesity in both sexes, especially in males was associated with high levels of IL-6, clusterin and irisin and worsened the metabolic pattern. Circulating IL-6, clusterin and irisin may represent possible therapeutic targets for insulin resistance in obese subjects.

Highlights

Obesity is a major health problem secondary to its related complications including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases
Chronic inflammation remains the main mechanism triggers insulin resistance, adipose tissue produces both pro- and anti-inflammatory substances including IL-6, clusterin and irisin which may play a role in glucose hemostasis [2,3]
Our data revealed that, obesity in both sexes, especially in males was associated with high levels of circulating IL-6, clusterin and irisin and worsened the metabolic pattern

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a major health problem secondary to its related complications including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Chronic inflammation in adipose tissues and liver links obesity to insulin resistance and even to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus [1]. Chronic inflammation remains the main mechanism triggers insulin resistance, adipose tissue produces both pro- and anti-inflammatory substances including IL-6, clusterin and irisin which may play a role in glucose hemostasis [2,3]. The major source of IL-6 is the adipose tissue; Il-6 is produced by muscles and many cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, mast cells and immune cells [4,5,6]. Irisin was suggested to be released from skeletal muscles and adipocytes [2]

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Conclusion