Synergistic role of inflammation and insulin resistance as coronary artery disease risk factors in African Americans and Caucasians

The separate roles of inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are well recognized. We investigated whether presence of inflammation would modify coronary artery disease (CAD) risk prediction in subjects with or without IR. Insulin, glucose, CRP and fibrinogen levels were determined in 317 Caucasians and 222 African Americans undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Extent of CAD was defined by a composite score (0–75). The overall prevalence of IR (HOMA-IR≥3.0) in Caucasians and African Americans was 32.5% and 22.9%, respectively (P<0.05). The degree of CAD (composite score) was higher in subjects with IR (20.7 vs. 14.5, P=0.014 and 20.1 vs. 13.1, P=0.031 for Caucasians and African Americans, respectively), and in a multiple regression model IR was an independent predictor for CAD in both groups. In both ethnic groups, subjects with a combination of IR and high CRP (≥3mg/l) had significantly higher composite score compared to those with no IR and low CRP (<3mg/l) (21.2 vs. 13.9, P<0.05 and 20.9 vs. 10.2, P<0.05 for Caucasians and African Americans, respectively). Similarly, the composite score was significantly higher in subjects with IR and high fibrinogen (≥340mg/dl) compared to those with no IR and low fibrinogen. In conclusion, elevated levels of inflammatory markers were positively associated with IR. Further, a combination of IR and inflammation resulted in a higher degree of CAD in both Caucasians and African Americans. The results suggest that inflammation may potentiate the cardiovascular risk factor role of IR.