Low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese subjects with normal serum triglycerides: the role of insulin resistance and inflammatory cytokines.
BACKGROUND
The cause of obesity-related low HDLc in the absence of hypertriglyceridemia is not known.


METHODS
A total of 32 subjects with a body mass index (BMI)(kg/m(2)) greater than 30 and normal serum triglycerides (<150 mg/dl) were identified.


RESULTS
People with low HDLc (n = 16) compared to those with normal HDLc (n = 16) had higher BMI (37.53 +/- 4.54 vs. 33.99 +/- 3.65 kg/m(2), p < 0.021), higher body fat weight (42.59 +/- 9.51 vs. 34.76 +/- 8.7 kg, p < 0.023), and higher insulin resistance index (3.75 +/- 2.51 vs. 1.95 +/- 1.10, p < 0.013). Seven subjects with low HDLc and none of those with normal HDLc, had elevated serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and/or interleukin-6 (p < 0.010).


CONCLUSIONS
Low HDLc levels can occur in obesity independently of elevated serum triglycerides and may be secondary to elevated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Mooradian
A D
AD
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA. mooradad@slu.edu
Albert
S G
SG
Haas
M J
MJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014280:Triglycerides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha