Open AccessDecreased High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level is an Independent Correlate of Circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α in a General Population
Author(s) -
Yamagishi Shoichi,
Adachi Hisashi,
Matsui Takanori,
Nakamura Kazuo,
Enomoto Mika,
Fukami Ako,
Otsuka Maki,
Kumagae Shunichi,
Nanjo Yasuki,
Imaizumi Tsutomu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.20517
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , body mass index , population , insulin resistance , fibrinogen , creatinine , high density lipoprotein , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cholesterol , lipoprotein , insulin , environmental health
Background Recent studies implicate a pathophysiological role of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in atherosclerosis, thus suggesting that serum TNF‐α levels may be one of the biomarkers for future cardiovascular events. However, which anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory variables could regulate circulating TNF‐α levels in humans is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the independent determinants of serum TNF‐α levels in a Japanese general population. Hypothesis Anthropometric, metabolic , and inflammatory variables could regulate TNF‐α. Methods A total of 213 Japanese subjects underwent a complete history, physical examination, and determination of blood chemistries, including TNF‐α levels. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied for the determinants of TNF‐α levels. Results The average TNF‐α levels were 13.4 ± 0.81 pg/ml in males and 13.9 ± 4.5 pg/ml in females, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that TNF‐α levels were associated with age ( P = 0.007), body mass index ( P = 0.034), waist circumference (<0.001), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C; inversely, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( P < 0.001), creatinine ( P < 0.001), uric acids ( P < 0.001), insulin ( P = 0.008), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR; P = 0.015), high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP; P < 0.001), and fibrinogen ( P = 0.009). By the use of multiple stepwise regression analyses, HDL‐C (inversely, P < 0.001) and hs‐CRP ( P < 0.001) remained significant and were independently related to TNF‐α levels ( R 2 = 0.153). Conclusions The present study is the first demonstration that besides hs‐CRP, a decreased HDL‐C level is an independent determinant of circulating TNF‐α in the Japanese general population. Elevation of TNF‐α may partly explain the increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with low HDL‐C levels. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.