Inflammatory markers and cardiometabolic diseases.

OBJECTIVES A growing body of evidence emerges that obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are intimately related to chronic inflammation. METHODS A narrative review summarizing the most recent data of the literature describing the pathological implications of inflammation in obese patients with cardiometabolic disorders. RESULTS Besides high-sensitive C-reactive protein, various circulating or in situ inflammatory markers have been identified, presumably reflecting the presence of inflammation in various key-organs (visceral adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, pancreatic islets, liver, intestine, arterial wall). Available data support the concept that targeting inflammation, not only reduces systemic inflammatory markers, but also improves insulin sensitivity and ameliorates glucose control in insulin-resistant patients, thus potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications. CONCLUSION These observations confirm the role of inflammation in cardiometabolic diseases and support the development of pharmacological strategies that aim at reducing inflammation, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes.