Plasma Procalcitonin Is Associated with Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and the Metabolic Syndrome

Context: Procalcitonin, a well-known biomarker of sepsis and bacterial infections, is produced by adipose tissue and has potential as a marker for chronic low-grade inflammation.Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether plasma procalcitonin levels in the normal range are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in the general population.Methods: Plasma procalcitonin (0.006-0.1 ng/ml) was measured in 3197 men and 3638 women (aged 28-75 yr) of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study using an ultra-sensitive immunoluminometric assay. MS was defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.Results: Median (interquartile range) plasma procalcitonin was 0.018 (0.015-0.022) ng/ml in men and0.014 (0.012-0.017) ng/ml inwomen(PConclusions: Elevated plasma procalcitonin levels in the normal range are associated with measures of obesity, insulin resistance, and MS in the general population. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95: E26-E31, 2010)