[Leuko-glycemic index as a marker of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in overweight and obesity].

BACKGROUND: Overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) are major health problems both in Mexico and the world. Because of the chronic low-grade inflammatory state that characterizes OW and OB, they are considered as cardiovascular risk factors. The leuko-glycemic index (LGI) is a ratio used as a prognostic factor to predict complications in patients with vascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of LGI index as an inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction marker in patients with OW and OB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Comparative cross-sectional study in 124 patients of Family Medicine Unit 80 of Mexican Social Security Institute. Young adults aged between 18 - 50 years old, and BMI between 18.5 and 40 kg/m2, without diagnosis of chronic diseases, auto immunities or immunodeficiencies were included. Bioelectrical impedance (weight, height, BMI, % body fat, lean mass) and blood sample (blood count, glucose, lipid profile, inflammatory, endothelial dysfunction markers) were assessed. Patients were grouped according to their BMI: OB, OW and normal weight (NW). RESULTS: LGI was found to be significantly elevated in OB and OW patients vs. NW. LGI correlated positively with inflammation and DE markers: IL-6, TNF-α, vWF. A value ≥ 405 was estimated with ROC curves as cut-off point for LGI to predict the likelihood of inflammation and ED in OW and OB patients. CONCLUSIONS: ILG is relevant as a predictive marker of cardiovascular disease by reflecting inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with OW and OB.