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Inter‐relationships of interleukin‐6, cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome among older men
Author(s) -
WANNAMETHEE S. G.,
WHINCUP P. H.,
RUMLEY A.,
LOWE G. D. O.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2007.02643.x
Subject(s) - medicine , insulin resistance , metabolic syndrome , fibrinogen , endocrinology , adiponectin , body mass index , diabetes mellitus , von willebrand factor , platelet
Summary. Objectives: Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. We have examined the relationship between plasma IL‐6 and insulin resistance, and metabolic, inflammatory and hemostatic markers. Methods: We examined 3490 men aged 60–79 years who were drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. The men were not diabetic and were not taking warfarin. Results: IL‐6 was significantly associated with age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), cigarette smoking, low physical activity, social class and alcohol intake (U‐shaped). IL‐6 showed no association with insulin resistance or its other components (blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure) except high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (inversely), and no association with hematocrit, factor (F) VII or adiponectin after adjustment for age and WC. IL‐6 was strongly associated with markers of inflammation (C‐reactive protein, fibrinogen, white cell count); plasma viscosity; elevated markers of coagulation (fibrin D‐dimer, FVIII, FIX); markers of endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator); and to a smaller extent with platelet count, APC ratio and gamma glutamyltransferase. Risk of the metabolic syndrome increased significantly with increasing IL‐6 but was attenuated after adjustment for BMI. Conclusion: IL‐6 may have a potential role as a mediator between cardiovascular risk factors and several biological mechanisms for cardiovascular disease.