Published in:
01-05-2012 | Original Research Paper
Contribution of gender and body fat distribution to inflammatory marker concentrations in apparently healthy young adults
Authors:
Helen Hermana M. Hermsdorff, Ana Carolina P. Volp, Blanca Puchau, Kiriaque B. F. Barbosa, M. Ángeles Zulet, Josefina Bressan, J. Alfredo Martínez
Published in:
Inflammation Research
|
Issue 5/2012
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Abstract
Objective
This cross-sectional study assessed the potential contribution of gender, body fat distribution, and their interactions to some inflammatory marker concentrations [C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factor 3 (C3), and ceruloplasmin (Cp)] in young adults.
Methods
Measurements included body composition, lifestyle features, blood biochemical and selected inflammatory markers on 317 healthy subjects [122 males/195 females; 22 ± 3 years; 22.1 ± 2.8 kg/m2 (mean ± SD)].
Results
Women had significantly higher CRP and Cp concentrations than men. No gender difference was noted in C3 concentrations. In a multivariate model of the whole sample, body fat (BF), waist circumference (WC) and the sex × WC interaction term presented the highest R
2 for variance of CRP (11%), C3 (2%), and Cp (12%), respectively. In regression models separated by sex, BF was the adiposity indicator that explained the variability of CRP in men (13%) and women (7%). WC was the only variable significantly associated with C3 concentrations in women (3%). BF presented the highest partial R
2 for Cp in men (8%) and WC in women (16%).
Conclusion
Our findings indicate a relevant interaction between gender and body fat distribution on the variance of CRP, C3, and Cp concentrations in apparently healthy young adults.