Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112 - P94
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819212

Association of elevated Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein and low Interleukin-10 and adiponectin levels with insulin resistance in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes

M Blüher 1, J Kratzsch 2, M Fasshauer 2, TD Wiesner 2, R Paschke 2
  • 1IZKF Leipzig
  • 2Universität Leipzig

Plasma IL-6 and CRP concentrations are increased and plasma adiponectin and IL-10 concentrations are decreased in obese and insulin resistant individuals. The goal of this study was to determine whether the relation between IL-6, IL-10, CRP, adiponectin and insulin resistance and obesity is independent of the status of glycemic control.

We evaluated the IL-6, IL-10, CRP, and adiponectin plasma concentrations in three different groups, which were matched for body-mass-index (BMI) and underwent euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps: Group NGT (control group): 28 healthy volunteers with normal glucose tolerance, Group IGT: 24 individuals with insulin resistance, normal fasting glucose but impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), Group T2D: 32 patients with diabetes type 2, insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemia.

Plasma IL-6 and CRP concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.01) and plasma adiponectin and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control group (NGT) as compared to the other groups. In addition, IL-6 and CRP concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to individuals with IGT (IGT). The IL-6 and CRP plasma concentrations correlate with fasting plasma glucose, 2-h OGTT plasma glucose, HbA1c value, fasting insulin concentration and whole body glucose uptake in the clamp, whereas circulating adiponectin and IL-10 showed a negative correlation only with the fasting insulin concentration and whole body glucose uptake in the clamp.

In conclusion, our data suggest that independently of obesity elevated IL-6 and CRP plasma concentrations are associated with the glycemic status and insulin resistance, whereas plasma adiponectin and IL-10 concentrations showed only a relationship to insulin resistance in obese patients with insulin resistance and IGT or type 2 diabetes.