Immunometabolic Profile in Overweight and Obesity: Circulating NLRP3, Cytokine Imbalance and Insulin Resistance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v12i4.2231Keywords:
Overweight, Obesity, NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein, Cytokines, Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, Metabolic DiseasesAbstract
Objective: This study compared inflammatory, metabolic, hormonal, lipid, hepatic and renal biomarkers between normal-weight controls and adults with overweight or obesity and assessed whether major differences persisted after adjustment for age, sex and glycaemic status.
Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed 108 participants: 22 normal-weight controls and 86 adults with overweight or obesity. Samples were collected after an 8–12-hour fast. Circulating NLRP3 was measured using ELK5399; control sera were analysed undiluted and overweight/obesity sera at 1:4 or 1:8 dilution when required. Correlations were evaluated with Spearman coefficients and Benjamini-Hochberg false-discovery-rate correction. Multivariable models adjusted for age, sex and HbA1c-defined glycaemic status.
Results: The pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, circulating NLRP3 inflammasome were higher and anti-inflammatory cytokine such IL-10 was lower in the overweight/obesity group (all p<0.001) compared to normal controls. Vitamin D remained lower, while total cholesterol, triglycerides and corrected VLDL-C remained higher in overweight/obesity group compared to normal control. AST, ALT, blood urea and creatinine did not show independent adverse group differences. NLRP3 produced complete separation of the two groups (apparent AUC=1.000), which is considered exploratory and requires external validation.
Conclusion: Overweight and obesity were associated with a distinct circulating inflammatory-metabolic profile independent of major measured confounders. The cross-sectional design and absence of external validation preclude causal or diagnostic claims.
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