Evaluation of the relationship of cytokines concentrations tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein in obese diabetics and obese non-diabetics: A comparative study

Obesity has been linked to a low-grade inflammatory process in the white adipose tissue. Our study aims to detect the relationship between cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in obese diabetics, compared to obese non-diabetics, Iraqi individuals. Ninety Iraqi adults, 45 type 2 diabetic and 45 non-diabetic obese, were selected as controls. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, homeostatic model assessment for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body fat, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. The concentration of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP were significantly greater in the obese diabetics, compared to the obese non-diabetics. BMI was significantly positively correlated with the concentration of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP in the two groups. At the same time, HOMA-IR was non-significantly positively associated with them in obese diabetics. In contrast, the correlation was significantly positive between HOMA-IR with TNF-a, IL-6, and CRP in the obese non-diabetics group. Obese diabetics have more inflammation than obese non-diabetics as evidenced by the former's higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6. Obesity-related imbalances disrupt metabolic processes and increase CRP, TNF-, and IL-6 levels. Therefore, IR is promoted by the increase of cytokines.