Gender-specific associations between insulin resistance, hypertension, and markers of inflammation among adult Saudis with and without diabetes mellitus type 2.

PURPOSE: In view of the important roles of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) in glucose metabolism and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), we assessed gender-specific differences and relative associations of these inflammatory biomarkers to insulin resistance (IR) and risk markers for DMT2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP were determined in 119 clinically diagnosed DMT2 cases, 114 non-DMT2 subjects with IR, and 97 age-matched controls. Fasting blood samples were collected and serum glucose levels, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers were analyzed. RESULTS: In women, a significant association between elevated levels of IL-6 and risk of developing IR [Odds ratio (OR), 4.389, 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 1.6-11.52, p = 0.004] was found. Significant associations were also found between elevated levels of CRP and risk of hypertension only in female subjects [OR (95% CI) 2.153 (1.04-4.53), p = 0.046]. While, in male subjects, a significant association between elevated levels of TNF-α and risk of developing IR [OR (95% CI) 2.32 (1.09-4.93), p = 0.029] was found. CONCLUSION: The present study showed apparent gender differences in the association of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-a with risks of IR and hypertension, and this could be attributed to sexual dimorphism in fat distribution.

Telomere length in relation to insulin resistance, inflammation and obesity among Arab youth.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the associations of telomere length to markers of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in Saudi children. METHODS: A total of 69 boys and 79 girls, aged 5-12 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured. Serum glucose and lipid profile were measured using routine laboratory methods. Serum insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and active plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 were quantified using customized multiplex assay kits. C-reactive protein and angiotensin II were quantified using ELISA. Leucocyte telomere length was examined by quantitative real time PCR utilizing IQ cycler. RESULTS: Mean telomere length was significantly shorter in obese boys compared with their lean counterparts (p = 0.049), not in girls. It was not associated to insulin resistance, adipocytokines and markers of inflammation. In girls, the significant predictor of telomere length was waist circumference, explaining 24% of variance (p = 0.041) while in boys, systolic blood pressure explained 84% of the variance (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Childhood obesity in boys corresponds to shorter leucocyte telomere length which is not evident in girls. The association of leucocyte telomere length to blood pressure and waist circumference in children suggests clinical implications as to the contribution of these parameters in premature ageing.