Obesity has been described as a form of low grade inflammation⁽Reference Wellen and Hotamisligil¹⁾. Inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-1 and IL-6, which are important risk factors for chronic diseases, are elevated in obese individuals. Micronutrient status is associated with obesity and may have an important effect on the inflammatory response⁽Reference García, Long and Rosado²⁾. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of micronutrients with chronic inflammation caused by obesity.

A total of 280 women (36.1±7.5 years) from rural communities in Mexico participated in a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements were made on all women. Concentrations of the cytokines IL-1, TNFα, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 and the micronutrients Zn and vitamins A, C and E were determined in fasting blood samples. Ordered logistic regression models were used to determine associations between categorised cytokine levels and micronutrients.

Eighty percent of women were either overweight or obese. The risk of higher levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 were reduced significantly among women with higher Zn concentrations. Higher concentrations of vitamin A were associated with reduced risks of higher levels of IL-1 and IL-12. Women with higher vitamin E concentration had increased risks of higher levels of IL-6. No associations were found between vitamin C concentrations and inflammatory cytokines.

Values are OR (95% CI). OR represent the odds that cytokine levels (categorised into three levels: non-detectable, <median, >median) will be greater among woman with greater serum micronutrient concentrations. Micronutrient concentrations were included in the model along with CRP concentrations and age. *P<0.05, **P<0.01.

Higher Zn and vitamin A concentrations are associated with reduced risks of higher concentration of inflammation markers, while higher concentrations of vitamin E are associated with risk of having higher levels of IL-6 in women with a high prevalence of obesity. It is important to continue addressing the relationship between these micronutrients and the inflammatory response especially among populations that differ in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Such efforts will establish how specific nutrients may be interacting with adipose tissue to regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines and so modify low-grade inflammation found in obesity.