Obesity-related inflammatory protein signature in cardiovascular clinical outcomes: results from the Gutenberg Health Study

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate whether an obesity-related inflammatory protein signature (OIPS) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods

The Olink Target 96 Inflammation panel was performed in 6662 participants from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). The OIPS was selected by a logistic regression model, and its association with cardiovascular outcomes was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. The GHS-derived OIPS was externally validated in the MyoVasc study.

Results

The identified OIPS entailed 21 proteins involved in chemokine activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor binding, and growth factor receptor binding. The signature revealed a novel positive association of axis inhibition protein 1 with obesity. The OIPS was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiac deaths, major adverse cardiovascular events, and incident coronary artery disease, independent of clinical covariates and established risk instruments. A BMI-stratified analysis confirmed the association of OIPS with increased death in those with obesity and overweight and with increased risk for coronary artery disease in those with obesity. The association of OIPS with increased risk of all-cause and cardiac deaths was validated in the MyoVasc cohort.

Conclusions

The OIPS showed a significant association with adverse clinical outcomes, particularly in those with overweight and obesity, and represents a promising tool for identifying patients at higher risk for worse cardiovascular outcomes.