This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Recent evidence has implicated low grade systemic inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Associations between serum inflammatory markers and type 2 diabetes and obesity have also been reported, suggesting that inflammation may be a mediating factor in their role as risk factors for CVD. Use of twins in studies allows the assessment of contributions that both genetics and the environment may have in risk factor/outcome associations. We propose to identify, recruit and collect data on inflammatory markers and other risk factors for obesity and diabetes as a pilot study to investigate associations between obesity and inflammation measured by the following biomarkers: c-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, adiponection, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor - alpha, and resistin. This study will be done in conjunction with the University of Washington Twin Registry (UWTR) to identify 24 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs on whom estimates of zygosity and obesity status have already been collected to target participants for a co-twin study. Twelve monozygotic and twelve dizygotic pairs discordant for obesity will be recruited for a clinical examination to be conducted at the UW GCRC. Data collection will include phlebotomy, anthropometrics, demographics, standard seated blood pressure, nutritional intake and eating habits, physical activity, depression, lifestyle behaviors and medical history, medications inventory, and an environmental similarity questionnaire to assess the assumption of equal environment. Genetic and environmental correlations will be determined between each pair of inflammatory markers and obesity. These results will be used as preliminary data in a subsequent R01 proposal.
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