Serum leptin, insulin, and inflammatory cytokines in overweight and obese individuals: an analysis based on gender differences

Obesity, a pro-inflammatory state, can be related to several diseases. Secreting cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), adipose tissue can play an essential role in inflammation and insulin resistance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of gender difference on serum leptin, insulin, and some inflammatory cytokines among obese or overweight males and females. Obese and overweight subjects (84 men and 105 women) aged 18 - 60 years were assessed. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6, leptin, insulin, and anthropometric measurements were measured in fasting blood samples. The mean values of anthropometric measurements (all P < 0.001) and the concentrations of homocysteine (P<0.001) were significantly higher in men than women. IL-6 (P < 0.001) and IL-1 (P = 0.002) were significantly higher among females. Females had a higher level of Leptin but this difference was not significant (P = 0.055). No significant differences were found in insulin, TNF-α and high-sensitive C-reactive protein between males and females. Overall, our study demonstrated that there were significant differences in levels of IL-6, IL-1 and homocysteine between obese males and females.