Deep analyses of the associations of a series of biomarkers with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes risk in nondiabetic middle-aged and elderly individuals: results from a Chinese community-based study

Abstract

Objective

The current study was designed to perform deep analyses of the associations of biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and homocysteine (Hcy), with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and diabetes risk and evaluate the abilities of biomarkers to identify IR, MetS, and diabetes risk in Chinese community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly residents.

Participants and methods

A total of 396 participants older than 45 years underwent physical examinations and laboratory analyses following standardized protocol.

Results

Serum hs-CRP concentrations were able to identify MetS, Chinese diabetes risk score (CDRS) ≥4, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) <0.9/1.0 mmol/L, and HDL-c <1.0/1.3 mmol/L (P<0.05 for all). Serum NT-proBNP concentrations were able to identify homeostasis model assessment of IR >1.5, CDRS ≥4, overweight, and blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mmHg (P<0.05 for all). Serum Hcy concentrations were able to identify CDRS ≥4, general obesity, overweight, and BP ≥140/90 mmHg (P<0.05 for all). Serum hs-CRP concentrations were independently associated with MetS as well as HDL-c <1.0/1.3 mmol/L and HDL-c <0.9/1.0 mmol/L (P<0.05 for all). Serum NT-proBNP concentrations were independently associated with BP ≥140/90 mmHg (P<0.05). Serum Hcy concentrations were independently associated with CDRS ≥4 (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Serum HDL-c levels were the major determinant of the associations between serum hs-CRP levels and MetS and the key link between inflammation and MetS. There was no other association of these biomarkers with IR, MetS, and diabetes risk after full adjustment.

Keywords:

• biomarkers
• diabetes risk
• insulin resistance
• metabolic syndrome
• middle-aged and elderly

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from National Key Basic Research Project (2012CB517503 and 2013CB530804), Health Special Scientific Research Subject of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (12BLZ34), and Clinical Scientific Research Project of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital (2012FC-TSYS1021). We are grateful to all study participants for their participation in the study.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.