C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in overweight and healthy adults.

This study aimed to 1) compare levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) between overweight Thais and apparently healthy controls, and 2) investigate the association between serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels and other biochemical parameters. A total of 180 health-conscious adults aged 25-60 years, who resided in Bangkok, participated in this study. No significant difference was found in age and sex between the overweight subjects and controls. Serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, glucose, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were determined in these volunteers. The mean levels of white blood cells (WBC), uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the overweight subjects than those in the controls, whereas high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) values were significantly higher in the controls than the overweight subjects (p < 0.05). Hs-CRP levels were significantly positively correlated with levels of TG, BMI, WC, HC and WHR. HDL-C levels were significantly negative correlated with hs-CRP levels. In conclusion, the prevalence of elevated serum hs-CRP levels was higher in overweight subjects than controls. However, more data in larger and other population groups are needed to confirm this study.

Urinary iodine excretion as a predictor of the iodine content of breast milk.

Endemic goitre has re-emerged in Thailand. This is particularly dangerous for children since iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) might negatively influence their intellectual and mental development. In order to assess the situation, the iodine content of breast milk was determined and a method is proposed on how to monitor IDDs in lactating mothers later on. Seventy-five lactating women aged from 15 to 45 years, from 12 villages of 3 districts, namely Chumpae. Srichompu and Pupaman within the mountainous areas of Khon Kaen province, Northeast of Thailand were investigated. The breast milk from 46.7 per cent of mothers was found to be below recommended standards. In addition, 52.0 per cent of the women investigated had low urinary iodine excretion. The risk of women with low iodine excretion was 15 fold higher in comparison to women with sufficient iodine excretion to provide breast milk for their babies with insufficient iodine content. It is concluded that urinary iodine excretion can be used to monitor the IDDs in lactating mothers.