Serum Cathepsin S Is Associated with Serum C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6 Independently of Obesity in Elderly Men

• Published in: Journal of clinical epidemiology 2010, Vol.95 (9), p.4460-4464
• Main Authors: Jobs, E., Risérus, U., Ingelsson, E., Helmersson, J., Nerpin, E., Jobs, M., Sundström, J., Lind, L., Larsson, A., Basu, S., Ärnlöv, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Cathepsins - blood; Cohort Studies; Endocrinopathies; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health and Welfare; Humans; Hälsa och välfärd; Interleukin-6 - blood; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; MEDICIN; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; MEDICINE; Obesity - blood; Residence Characteristics; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197; 0895-4356; 1878-5921; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0328

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