Abstract

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is predictor of cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke) in apparently healthy individuals (Pfützner et al., 2004). Very few studies have specifically evaluated the usefulness of hsCRP as a marker of insulin resistance in normoglycemic young adults. The aim of this study was to assess whether hsCRP can be used to detect insulin resistance in normoglycemic healthy young adults. 80 normal volunteers were evaluated for insulin resistance. A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used, plasma glucose and insulin levels assessed at 0(fasting), 30, 120 min. Insulin resistance was calculated using mathematical models like HOMA IR, QUICKI, insulinio genic index (ISI), ISI 0-120. hsCRP was assessed from fasting sample by turbidimetric method. Subjects hsCRP (mg/L) values <1 were grouped as Group A (low risk) and >1 Group B (intermediate and high risk) subjects. Subjects with hsCRP >1 in Group B had a significantly higher body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio. OGTT parameters and the insulin resistance and sensitivity parameters in Group B subjects were significantly higher in subjects with hsCRP>1. ISI 0-120 which takes into account the second hour OGTT values show significantly lower insulin sensitivity with hsCRP >1. hsCRP significantly increased with increasing BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR) & insulin resistance (IR) indices. It was observed that as insulin resistance increases, hsCRP also increases. The finding of this study point to the significant role a simple blood test like hsCRP can play in the early detection of insulin resistance in normal healthy subjects.

Key words: hsCRP, IR, C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, HOMA IR, ISI 0-120, normoglycemic, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), type-2 diabetes (T2DM), diabetes.