Correlation of metabolic markers with cardiovascular risk in obesity

Obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue (WAT) resulting from chronic activation of proinflammatory molecules: C-reactive Protein(CRP), TNFalpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6).These cytokines subsequently lead to insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and even diabetes. This is a cross-sectional, open label, comparative, observational study, in a North Indian population cohort. 30 cases of obesity were evaluated, against twenty normal weight regarding metabolic and inflammatory markers in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. All patients underwent detailed clinical and biochemical, CRP and TNF- estimation at baseline and at the end of the study period. The differences between the percentage changes in each parameter in the two groups was compared by applying the unpaired t-test. Comparison showed significant difference in CRP and TNF- between normal weight individuals (BMI<30) and obese individuals (BMI>30) at a p value <0.001. Similarly comparison of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and Triglyceride levels, showed significant difference between normal weight and obese individuals at a p value <0.05.