Differentiation Between Obesity and Insulin Resistance in the Association With C-Reactive Protein

Background— Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations are increased in obese and/or hyperinsulinemic individuals. The goal of this study was to determine if the relation between insulin resistance and CRP was independent of obesity. Methods and Results— Plasma CRP concentrations were measured before and after 3 months of calorie restriction in 38 healthy, obese women. Steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during a 180-minute infusion of octreotide, glucose, and insulin was used to stratify participants into insulin-resistant (IR, n=20) or insulin-sensitive (n=18) groups, similar in terms of mean age (46±2 versus 44±2 years), body mass index (32.0±0.4 versus 31.4±0.3 kg/m2), and waist circumference (96±2 versus 95±2 cm). Mean CRP (0.39±0.08 versus 0.12±0.03 mg/dL, P=0.003) concentrations were higher in the IR group, as were day-long plasma glucose and insulin responses (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation at baseline between CRP and day-long plasma integrated insulin response (r=0...