Lipid Profile Indices and Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of Subclinical Muscle Loss in Young Obese Females

Background: Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in some developing countries and the developed world. Elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, increase the risk of many debilitating diseases. Muscle atrophy, is a condition that causes muscles to lose mass and strength and appear smaller than normal. It can occur in young adults due obesity. This study was aimed at investigating the lipid profile indices and inflammatory biomarkers as predictors of subclinical muscle loss in young obese females.

Methodology: The study was carried out employing 120 participants with 60 obese subjects as test subjects and 60 slim subjects as control. Plasma samples were collected for lipid profile analysis. Castelli Risk Index 1 and 2, and Atherogenic Index of Plasma were determined by calculation.

Results: There was no significant difference in triglyceride, LDL, and total cholesterol concentration between the control and test subjects (p>0.05) however there was significant reduction in HDL concentration and a significantly elevated value of castelli risk index-1 , castelli risk index-2, artherogenic index. IL-2, IL-6 and IL-12 in the obese participants compared to the non obese participants (p<0.05).

Conclusion: obesity led to an unfavorable lipid pattern of elevated the values of CRP, AIP, CRI I-II ratios, IL6, and IL-12 which are markers of systemic inflammation, and takes into account that elevated AIP and CRI I-II ratios may contribute to subclinical or masked muscle protein breakdown and inhibit muscle repair.