Forum Diagnosticum No.03/2012

Obesity and the Role of Dynamic Balance between Cystatin C and Cathepsin S in the Pathomechanism of Atherosclerosis

Obesity is closely related to the increased risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. The central link mechanism of obesity and cardiovascular diseases is inflammation. Inflammation-induced obesity accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. The increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion by visceral fat cells in obesity causes systemic inflammation. Inflammation has an interplay connection to the works of cysteine proteases, including cathepsin S. In short, it can be concluded that the inflammation condition (defined by the increasing level of hs-CRP) on the central obesity condition has a connection to the cysteine proteases activity, including cathepsin S. Cathepsin S and its inhibitor, in this case cystatin C, are associated with oxLDL concentrations (as a atherosclerosis marker) and when there is an imbalance in the protease inhibitor activity, the cardiovascular system, including atherosclerosis, is also affected.


Author: Emmy F. Harefa (PT Prodia Widyahusada)

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