RESULTS Weight loss was associated with a decline in CRP level .
Our results suggest that weight loss may be an effective nonpharmacologic strategy for lowering CRP level
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that weight loss reduces C-reactive protein ( CRP ) level ; however , the consistency and magnitude of this effect has not been well characterized .
Our objective was to test the hypothesis that weight loss is directly related to a decline in CRP level .
Differentiation Between Obesity and Insulin Resistance in the Association With C-Reactive Protein
Background —Plasma C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations are increased in obese and /or hyperinsulinemic individuals . The goal of this study was to determine if the relation between insulin resistance and CRP was independent of obesity . Methods and Results —Plasma CRP concentrations were measured before and after 3 months of calorie restriction in 38 healthy , obese women .  Steady-state plasma glucose ( SSPG )  concentration during a 180-minute infusion of octreotide , glucose , and insulin was used to stratify participants into insulin-resistant ( IR , n=20 ) or insulin-sensitive ( n=18 ) groups , similar in terms of mean age ( 46±2 versus 44±2 years ) , body mass index ( 32.0±0.4 versus 31.4±0.3 kg/m2 ) , and waist circumference ( 96±2 versus 95±2 cm ) . Mean CRP ( 0.39±0.08 versus 0.12±0.03 mg/dL , P = 0.003 ) concentrations were higher in the IR group , as were day-long plasma glucose and insulin responses ( P < 0.001 ) . There was a significant correlation at baseline between CRP and day-long plasma integrated insulin response ( r = 0.47 , P = 0.001 ) but not between CRP and body mass index ( r = 0.14 ) or waist circumference ( r = 0.10 ) . Weight loss was similar in the two groups ( 8.7±0.9 versus 8.4±0.8 kg ) but was associated with significant ( P < 0.001 ) decreases in SSPG and CRP concentrations in the IR group only . Regression analysis showed that SSPG and day-long plasma insulin response were the only significant predictors of CRP concentration . Conclusions —CRP concentrations are elevated predominantly in obese individuals who are also insulin resistant and fall in parallel with weight loss – associated improvements in insulin resistance . The relation between CRP concentrations and insulin resistance is independent of obesity
RESULTS Weight loss was associated with a decline in CRP level .
Our results suggest that weight loss may be an effective nonpharmacologic strategy for lowering CRP level
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that weight loss reduces C-reactive protein ( CRP ) level ; however , the consistency and magnitude of this effect has not been well characterized .
Our objective was to test the hypothesis that weight loss is directly related to a decline in CRP level .