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Body Iron Stores as Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Apparently Healthy Urban Colombian Men

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate body iron stores as predictors of insulin resistance. We developed a cross-sectional study among 123 men, 25–64 years of age and determined fasting plasma glucose, insulin, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels. A survey was performed to record personal antecedents and family history of non-transmissible chronic diseases. Log-transformed ferritin levels was an independent predictor for log-transformed insulin resistance index assessed by homeostatic model assessment when body mass index or waist circumference were not included in multiple linear regression models. Sedentarism, heart attack family history, and log-C reactive protein levels were also significant predictors for insulin resistance. In conclusion, documented anthropometric predictors affect the significance of ferritin as a potential prediction variable for insulin resistance. Mechanisms of how body fat could influence ferritin levels should be evaluated. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the relationship between body iron stores and insulin resistance in a Latin American population.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Colombian Institute for Science and Technology Development (COLCIENCIAS) (Contract 1106-45921521).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Milton Fabian Suárez-Ortegón, Alejandra Arbeláez, Mildrey Mosquera & Cecilia Aguilar-de Plata

  2. School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Fabián Méndez

  3. Epidemiology and Population Health Group, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Fabián Méndez

  4. Nutrition Group, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Milton Fabian Suárez-Ortegón, Alejandra Arbeláez, Mildrey Mosquera & Cecilia Aguilar-de Plata

  5. Universidad del Valle (San Fernando), Calle 4B 36-00, Edificio 116, Quinto piso, Oficina 5503, Cali, Colombia

    Milton Fabian Suárez-Ortegón

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  1. Milton Fabian Suárez-Ortegón
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  2. Alejandra Arbeláez
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  3. Mildrey Mosquera
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  4. Fabián Méndez
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  5. Cecilia Aguilar-de Plata
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Correspondence to Milton Fabian Suárez-Ortegón.

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Suárez-Ortegón, M.F., Arbeláez, A., Mosquera, M. et al. Body Iron Stores as Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Apparently Healthy Urban Colombian Men. Biol Trace Elem Res 145, 283–285 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9192-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9192-9

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