Serum cathepsin S is associated with serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 independently of obesity in elderly men.
OBJECTIVE
Cathepsin S has been suggested provide a mechanistic link between obesity and atherosclerosis, possibly mediated via adipose tissue-derived inflammation. Previous data have shown an association between circulating cathepsin S and inflammatory markers in the obese, but to date, community-based reports are lacking. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of cathepsin S and markers of cytokine-mediated inflammation in a community-based sample, with prespecified subgroup analyses in nonobese participants.


METHODS
Serum cathepsin S, C-reactive protein (CRP), and IL-6 were measured in a community-based cohort of elderly men (Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men; mean age 71 years, n = 991). CRP and IL-6 were also measured at a reexamination after 7 yr.


RESULTS
After adjustment for age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, diabetes treatment, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension treatment, serum cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, prior cardiovascular disease, smoking, and leisure time physical activity, higher cathepsin S was associated with higher CRP (regression coefficient for 1 sd increase, 0.13; 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.19; P < 0.001) and higher serum IL-6 (regression coefficient for 1 sd increase, 0.08; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.14; P = 0.02). These associations remained similar in normal-weight participants (body mass index <25 kg/m(2), n = 375). In longitudinal analyses, higher cathepsin S at baseline was associated with higher serum CRP and IL-6 after 7 yr.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide additional evidence for the interplay between cathepsin S and inflammatory activity and suggest that this association is present also in normal-weight individuals in the community.
Jobs
E
E
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala Sweden.
Risérus
U
U
Ingelsson
E
E
Helmersson
J
J
Nerpin
E
E
Jobs
M
M
Sundström
J
J
Lind
L
L
Larsson
A
A
Basu
S
S
Arnlöv
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D012111:Residence Characteristics
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002403:Cathepsins; C028217:cathepsin S