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(P Conclusions: 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