Plasma sCD36 is associated with markers of atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and fatty liver in a nondiabetic healthy population

Handberg, A., Højlund, K., Gastaldelli, A., Flyvbjerg, A., Dekker, J.M., Petrie, J. , Piatti, P. and Beck-Nielsen, H. (2012) Plasma sCD36 is associated with markers of atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and fatty liver in a nondiabetic healthy population. Journal of Internal Medicine, 271(3), pp. 294-304. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02442.x)

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Abstract

Objectives: Insulin resistance is associated with increased CD36 expression in a number of tissues. Moreover, excess macrophage CD36 may initiate atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma soluble CD36 (sCD36) was associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver and carotid atherosclerosis in nondiabetic subjects. <p/>Methods: In 1296 healthy subjects without diabetes or hypertension recruited from 19 centres in 14 European countries (RISC study), we determined the levels of sCD36, adiponectin, lipids and liver enzymes, insulin sensitivity (M/I) by euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp, carotid atherosclerosis as intima–media thickness (IMT) and two estimates of fatty liver, the fatty liver index (FLI) and liver fat percentage (LF%). <p/>Results: IMT, FLI, LF%, presence of the metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose regulation, insulin and triglycerides increased across sCD36 quartiles (Q2–Q4), whereas adiponectin and M/I decreased (P ≤ 0.01). sCD36 was lower in women than in men (P = 0.045). Log sCD36 showed a bimodal distribution, and amongst subjects with sCD36 within the log-normal distribution (log-normal population, n = 1029), sCD36 was increased in subjects with impaired glucose regulation (P = 0.045), metabolic syndrome (P = 0.006) or increased likelihood of fatty liver (P < 0.001). sCD36 correlated significantly with insulin, triglycerides, M/I and FLI (P < 0.05) after adjustment for study centre, gender, age, glucose tolerance status, smoking habits and alcohol consumption. In the log-normal population, these relationships were stronger than in the total study population and, additionally, sCD36 was significantly associated with LF% and IMT (P < 0.05). <p/>Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study of nondiabetic subjects, sCD36 was significantly associated with indices of insulin resistance, carotid atherosclerosis and fatty liver. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the role of sCD36 in the inter-relationship between atherosclerosis, fatty liver and insulin resistance.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Petrie, Professor John
Authors: Handberg, A., Højlund, K., Gastaldelli, A., Flyvbjerg, A., Dekker, J.M., Petrie, J., Piatti, P., and Beck-Nielsen, H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Journal Name:Journal of Internal Medicine
Publisher:Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:0954-6820
Published Online:14 September 2011

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
293591Relationship between insulin-sensitivity and cardiovascular disease (EGIR-RISC)John PetrieEuropean Commission (EC)QLG1-CT-2001-01Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences