Receptor CD36 expression on peripheral blood monocytes in women with visceral obesity

Abstract

Introduction: Receptor CD36 is involved in foam cells formation and in atherogenesis. Visceral obesity is important risk factor of accelerated atherosclerosis. There are no data about the role of CD36 in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in women with visceral obesity. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of visceral obesity on CD36 expression on peripheral blood monocytes.
Material and methods: CD36 expression was evaluated (by flow cytometry) in study population consisted of 30 women aged 25-45 years (mean 34.03 ± 11.14) with visceral obesity. Control group consisted of 15 nonobese women aged 25-45 years (mean 31.93 ± 2.43). Physical examination was performed with body mass, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio evaluation. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed with estimation of glucose and insulin concentrations.
Results: Body mass, BMI, WHR, waist and hip circumferences were significantly higher in obese than in nonobese women. Glucose and insulin concentrations in 0’, 30’ 60’ of OGTT as well as HOMA and FIRI values were significantly higher in obese than in nonobese women. Expression of CD36 on monocytes was significantly lower in obese women (mean 62.99 ± 18.07) than in controls (mean 82.5 ± 22.93). There were not significant correlations between CD36 expression and BMI, WHR and IR indexes.
Conclusions: Expression of scavenger receptor CD36 on monocytes in obese women is significantly lower than in lean individuals. This observation needs further investigations.