The correlation between adiposity and adiponectin tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.: Is adipocyte size asssociated with inflammation in adults?

Objective: Hypertrophic obesity correlates with metabolic complications of obesity. We evaluated adipocyte volume and its relationship with tumor necrosis factor ct (TNF-ct), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Subjects and methods: Patients were divided into 4 groups; lean healthy controls [body mass index (BMI): 24.2 +/- 1.4 kg/m(2)], non-diabetic obese patients (30.2 +/- 2.9), obese (30.1 +/- 3.2) and non-obese (22.2 +/- 11.5) Type 2 diabetic patients. TNF-a., hs-CRP, adiponectin and IL-6 levels were measured preoperatively and sc fat specimens were obtained during operation. Semi-thin sections were stained with toluidine-blue and evaluated by light microscopy. Fat volumes were calculated by Goldrick's formulation. Results: Mean adipocyte volumes were higher in obese diabetic patients than in other groups (p<0.0001). Mean TNF-alpha, hs-CRP and IL-6 levels were higher in obese diabetic patients than in control subjects, obese non-diabetic and non-obese diabetic patients (p<0.0001, p<0.02 and p<0.01, respectively). Mean TNF-alpha levels of non-diabetic obese patients were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Mean IL-6 levels of diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients were higher than control subjects (p<0.02 and p<0.0001, respectively). Mean adiponectin levels of control subjects were higher than non-diabetic obese, non-obese diabetic and obese-diabetic subjects (p<0.0001). Mean adiponectin levels of obese diabetic patients were lower than non-diabetic obese subjects (p<0.008). Mean hs-CRP levels were higher in diabetic patients whether they were obese or not. There was a positive correlation between adipocyte size and TNF-a. (p<0.01), IL-6 (p<0.03) and hs-CRP levels (p<0.004), and negative correlation between adipocyte size, adiponectin levels (p<0.0001). Conclusions: TNF-cc, IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were positively, adiponectin negatively correlated with adipocyte size. Therefore, adiposity may be an inflammatory condition.