Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (Sep 2019)
Fibrinogen Levels in Obese and Normal Individuals
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity is a risk factor for Cardiovascular Disorders (CVDs). Adipose tissues associated with obesity secrete large number of peptide hormones, cytokines and nonpeptide biologically active molecules. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key regulator that modulates acute phase fibrinogen synthesis and high levels of fibrinogen leads to increased platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, which ultimately lead to coronary artery disease. Aim: To evaluate the fibrinogen levels, and correlate them with IL-6 levels in obese and normal weight individuals. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Sixty obese individuals aged 20 to 65 years, and 60 age and sex-matched normal weight individuals attending the Master Health Check-Up and Medicine OP was selected for the study. Serum IL-6 was measured by Enzyme-linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) and fibrinogen was measured by antigenic method. Statistical analysis was done using student’s t-test and Pearson correlation analysis. The p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean fibrinogen level in obese individuals (407.74±38.31 mg/dL) was significantly higher (p-value <0.001) than the normal weight healthy controls (287.49±52.46 mg/dL). The mean IL-6 level in obese individuals (78.52±8.95 pq/mL) was also significant (p-value <0.001) higher than the normal weight healthy controls (9.41±6.15 pq/mL). Statistically significant correlation (r-value 0.521 and p-value <0.001) was observed between serum IL-6 and fibrinogen level in obese individuals. Conclusion: Fibrinogen plays a major role in platelet aggregation in the final step of coagulation cascade. It is a major determinant of plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation and formation of fibrin. Increased level of fibrinogen seen in obesity is associated with increased risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction.
Keywords
