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.

Serum leptin and lipid profiles in Thai obese and overweight subjects.

The weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, serum leptin and lipid profiles of 48 overweight (BMI > or = 25.00). Thai males and 166 overweight Thai females, compared with 26 males and 81 females in a control group (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), were investigated. Subjects for the study were those persons who turned up regularly for physical check-ups at the out-patient department, general practice section of the Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok. The study was conducted between March-October, 1998. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum leptin, cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and triglyceride were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The median serum leptin concentration in overweight subjects was 19.6 (2.0-60.0 ng/ml) compared with 9.0 (range 1.0-30.0 ng/ml) in the control subjects (p < 0.001). The median values of leptin serum concentrations in the overweight and obese males were significantly higher than those of the overweight and obese females. A total of 66.7% (32 out of 48) of the overweight and obese males had elevated leptin levels, while elevated leptin levels were found in 87.3% (145 out of 166) of the overweight and obese females. A total of 18.8% and 21.1% of the overweight and obese males and females respectively had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 6.48 mmol/l. However, the prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 mmol/l) was found to be 41.7% in the overweight and obese males and 4.2% in the overweight and obese females. Statistically significant associations were found between weight, height, BMI, waist, hip, waist/hip ratio, HDL-C, and serum leptin in both overweight male and female subjects. A negative correlation was found between serum leptin and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in both the overweight and obese subjects.

Leptin concentration in relation to body mass index (BMI) and hematological measurements in Thai obese and overweight subjects.

The weight, height and body mass index (BMI), including waist/hip ratio, serum leptin and hematological parameters of 48 male and 166 female overweight (BMI > or = 25.00) Thai volunteers who came for a physical check-up at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok during the period March-October 1998, were investigated. There were statistically significantly higher levels of serum leptin, mean corpuscular mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the overweight than in the control subjects. The median serum leptin concentration in overweight subjects was 19.6 (2.0-60.0 ng/ml) compared with 9.0 (range 1.0-30.0 ng/ml) in the control subjects (p < 0.001). The medians of leptin in overweight and obese males were significantly higher than those of overweight and obese females. 66.7% (32 out of 48) of overweight and obese males were found to have elevated leptin levels, while 87.3% (145 out of 166) were found in overweight and obese females. Anemia was found in 18.7% of female overweight and obese subjects, using hemoglobin as an indicator. Significant associations were found between weight, height, BMI, waist, hip, waist/hip ratio, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum leptin in both male and female overweight subjects. A negative correlation was found between serum leptin and hemoglobin, and hematocrit in both overweight and obese subjects.