Sex-specific Relationships Between Il-3, Il-7 and Lipids in African Americans

Abstract

Purpose: Obesity, a complex chronic disorder characterized by the enlargement of adipose tissue, has a multifactorial etiology. Adipose tissue is now recognized as an active tissue in the regulation of inflammation. Sex chromosome genes and hormones influences immune responses between males and females. Inflammation is rampant in obesity due to the expansion of visceral adipose tissue leading to insulin resistance resulting in type-2 diabetes (T2D). Differences in sex may lead to varied immune responses to T2D.Methods: A total of 116 serum samples were collected from African Americans: 68 women and 48 men. All participants had a BMI > 30. This group consists of 49 normal HbA1c and 71 high HbA1c participants. This study was designed to determine the impact of current circulating glucose on current serum IL-3 and IL-7 levels.Results:Serum cytokine levels are influenced by circulating high glucose and it varies based on sex. We found in women, IL-3 and IL-7 levels were upregulated 1.7-fold in the presence of high circulating glucose. In men, IL-3 levels were downregulated 1.5-fold and IL-7 levels downregulated 1.3-fold in the presence of high circulating glucose. IL-3 and IL-7 serum levels are also correlated with several lipid parameters.Conclusion: IL-3 and IL-7 are members of a complex network of cytokines that play a role in chronic inflammation. Inflammatory signaling impact several diseases including obesity, T2D, atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. A better understanding of the pathological signaling of cytokines will help facilitate our understanding of inflammation in these diseases.