Work

Relationship between monocyte/macrophage activation marker soluble CD163 and insulin resistance in obese and normal‐weight subjects

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: CONTEXT: The relationship of monocyte/macrophage activation to insulin resistance in obesity is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate a marker of macrophage activation, soluble CD163 (sCD163), in relationship to insulin resistance and metabolic parameters in obese and normal-weight subjects. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-five healthy subjects (65 obese and 30 normal-weight) were studied. Plasma concentrations of sCD163 were assessed, as well as markers of glucose homeostasis, anthropometrics, cytokines and adipokines. The relationships between sCD163 and these parameters were investigated, and multiple regression modelling assessing the contribution of sCD163 to insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was performed. RESULTS: Soluble CD163 was significantly increased in obese subjects compared with normal-weight controls [974 (657, 1272) ng/ml vs 599 (423, 892) ng/ml, median (IQR); P < 0·0001]. sCD163 was strongly associated with HOMA-IR (Spearman's ρ = 0·37, P = 0·0003) and other metabolic parameters. In multiple regression modelling for log HOMA-IR, sCD163 remained significantly associated (P = 0·005) controlling for known mediators of insulin resistance including age, gender, visceral adiposity and inflammatory markers (model R(2) = 0·54, P < 0·0001). Additional nested multiple regression models for log HOMA-IR showed that sCD163 added more than other adipokines and inflammatory markers to the prediction of HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: Monocyte/macrophage activation, as reflected by sCD163 levels, is strongly associated with HOMA-IR in normal-weight and obese subjects after controlling for known mediators of insulin resistance. Moreover, sCD163 adds to standard risk markers for predicting insulin resistance. These data suggest that monocyte/macrophage activation may be an important determinant of insulin resistance in obesity.

Source: Clinical Endocrinology

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04284.x

Authors: Markella V. Zanni, Tricia H. Burdo, Hideo Makimura, Kenneth C. Williams, Steven K. Grinspoon

Institutions: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston College

Language: English

Topic: Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke