Serum cathepsin S is associated with serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 independently of obesity in elderly men.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Cathepsin S has been suggested provide a mechanistic link between obesity and atherosclerosis, possibly mediated via adipose tissue-derived inflammation. Previous data have shown an association between circulating cathepsin S and inflammatory markers in the obese, but to date, community-based reports are lacking. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of cathepsin S and markers of cytokine-mediated inflammation in a community-based sample, with prespecified subgroup analyses in nonobese participants.

METHODS:

Serum cathepsin S, C-reactive protein (CRP), and IL-6 were measured in a community-based cohort of elderly men (Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men; mean age 71 years, n = 991). CRP and IL-6 were also measured at a reexamination after 7 yr.

RESULTS:

After adjustment for age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, diabetes treatment, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension treatment, serum cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, prior cardiovascular disease, smoking, and leisure time physical activity, higher cathepsin S was associated with higher CRP (regression coefficient for 1 sd increase, 0.13; 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.19; P < 0.001) and higher serum IL-6 (regression coefficient for 1 sd increase, 0.08; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.14; P = 0.02). These associations remained similar in normal-weight participants (body mass index <25 kg/m(2), n = 375). In longitudinal analyses, higher cathepsin S at baseline was associated with higher serum CRP and IL-6 after 7 yr.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results provide additional evidence for the interplay between cathepsin S and inflammatory activity and suggest that this association is present also in normal-weight individuals in the community.

• Authors: E Jobs, U Risérus, E Ingelsson, J Helmersson, E Nerpin, M Jobs, J Sundström, L Lind, A Larsson, S Basu, J Arnlöv
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 95 Issue 9 Pg. 4460-4 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1945-7197 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20610597 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• C-Reactive Protein
• Cathepsins
• cathepsin S

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Cathepsins (blood)
• Cohort Studies
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Obesity (blood)
• Residence Characteristics