Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and fibrinolytic system parameters (t-PA, and PAI-1) and insulin resistance in obese individuals.

Patients and Methods: The study included 54 obese subjects (BMI ≥30 kg/m2; 41 females, 13 males; mean age 33.5 years) and 30 non-obese healthy individuals (BMI <25 kg/m2; 19 females, 11 males; mean age 22.3 years). Fibrinogen levels were measured by the coagulometric method and the measurements of TNF-α, IL-6, t-PA and PAI-1 were carried out by the ELISA method.

Results: Compared with non-obese subjects, obese individuals had significantly higher fibrinogen (p<0.01), PAI-1 (p<0.001), TNF-α (p<0.01), and IL-6 (p<0.001) levels, and significantly lower t-PA level (p<0.001) and t-PA/PAI-1 ratio (p<0.001). We also found an inverse relationship between TNF-α and t-PA levels (p=0.007) and t-PA/PAI-1 ratio (p=0.016) in obese individuals. The presence or absence of insulin resistance did not affect proinflammatory cytokines and fibrinolytic system parameters in obese individuals.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate increased inflammatory cytokine levels especially in TNF-α level, and decreased fibrinolysis in obese individuals. These changes may contribute to atherosclerotic process independent from insulin resistance in obesity.