Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, leptin, and resistin in patients with overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk for obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Resistin and leptin exert proinflammatory actions by activating a specific receptors which are expressed in human endothelial cells. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the relations between the leptin, resistin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which is a marker of low-grade inflammation, in patients with subclinical (SH) and overt hypothyroidism (OH). The levels of leptin, resistin, and hs-CRP were measured in 25 patients with CH, 30 patients with SH, and in 25 healthy subjects, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The leptin and resistin levels in patients with OH and SH were similar to those in the control group. The hs-CRP level in OH group was significantly higher than SH and control groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). In the OH group, hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (P < 0.001, r = 0.728) and negatively correlated with fF4 levels (P = 0.01 r = -0.51). Combining the OH and SH groups, serum hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (P < 0.001, r = 0.765) and fr4 (P < 0.001, r = -0.716). No significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and leptin or resistin in patients with OH and SH. We suggest that the elevated hs-CRP levels in hypothyroidism may play a role in the increased risk for atherosclerosis in these patients.