C-reactive protein levels in subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity.

Butler MG, Bittel DC, Kibiryeva N, Garg U.

Genet Med. 2006 Apr;8(4):243-248.

Summary by Jamie H. Bassel, D.C., P.C.

At this point there is little known about the implied cardiovascular risk related to obesity, C - reactive protein (CRP) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).  C-reactive protein is a plasma protein whose levels rise typically during acute phases of inflammation occurring in the body.   It is also believed to have an active role in the body’s early defenses against infection.  The amount of CRP varies from person to person.  Higher CRP levels are noticed in people who are living sedentary lives or who are smokers.  Lower CRP levels are seen in leaner individuals.    Studies have demonstrated that increases in inflammation can occasionally have deleterious effects on the blood vessels which transport oxygen throughout the body.  Atherosclerosis, which is caused by fatty deposits and plaque formation along the arterial walls are considered the result of an inflammatory process.  Inflammation has a direct affect on heart disease, but can lead to rupturing of plaques, which when allowed traveling in the blood stream, can lead to heart attacks. 

In this study the levels of CRP was compared in PWS individuals and non-PWS obese patients, with virtually the same BMI (body mass index).  A biochemical test was used to measure the level CRP, in the  blood, using the reaction of  antibodies to its antigen was used to quantify CRP from subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and obesity and compared to existing normative data.

The results demonstrated the average circulating CRP concentration for 28 subjects with PWS was 10.3 +/- 8.8 mg/L. The average CRP concentration for 22 non-PWS obese patients was 8.8 +/- 10.9 mg/L. The established average concentration for CRP was 2.6 +/- 3.0 mg/L from 100 healthy adults. The study concluded the average CRP concentrations were comparable among the individuals PWS and obesity but considerably elevated in Prader-Willi syndrome and obese subjects compared to normative data. Elevated concentrations of CRP (>3.0 mg/L) are linked with cardiovascular disease signifying individuals with PWS and non-PWS obese patients are at greater risk.


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 Edited: 02/09/2012