Open AccessRaised Interleukin‐6 Levels in Obese Patients
Author(s) -
Roytblat Leonid,
Rachinsky Maxim,
Fisher Allan,
Greemberg Lev,
Shapira Yoram,
Douvdevani Amos,
Gelman Simon
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2000.86
Subject(s) - medicine , obstructive sleep apnea , hypoxemia , body mass index , obesity , endocrinology , gastroenterology , hypoventilation , interleukin 6 , interleukin , obesity hypoventilation syndrome , inflammation , respiratory system , cytokine
Objective: Obese patients demonstrate a variety of biochemical, metabolic, and pulmonary abnormalities. Inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) may have a direct effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. Hypoxemia in itself induces release of IL‐6. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between IL‐6 levels in healthy volunteers (control group) and three different groups of obese patients: patients without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), patients with OSAS, and patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) (daytime baseline oxygen saturation of <93%). Research Methods and Procedures: We measured serum IL‐6 levels in 25 obese patients (body mass index of >35 kg/m 2 ) and 12 healthy women. Results: The results demonstrate statistically significant differences in serum IL‐6 levels between the control group (1.28 ± 0.85 pg/mL) and obese patients without OSAS (7.69 ± 5.06 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and with OSAS (5.58 ± 0.37 pg/mL, p < 0.0005). In the patients with OHS, IL‐6 concentrations were highest (43.13 ± 24.27 pg/mL). Discussion: We conclude that serum IL‐6 is increased in obese patients. The highest IL‐6 levels were found in the patients with OHS.