BACKGROUND: There are 27 million adults in the U.S. diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus, a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance regards the inability of the body to properly respond to insulin at target receptors, leading to increased blood-glucose levels from suppressed GLUT transporter expression. The presence of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP) may decrease insulin response. Additionally, as the aging population grows, it is necessary to examine how sleep quality may be associated with disease risk in older adults. Poor sleep quality and inflammation may contribute to the progression of insulin resistance. PURPOSE: To explore relationships among insulin resistance, inflammation, and subjective sleep quality measures in overweight, older adults. METHODS: In 19 overweight (BMI 27-40) adults (3 male / 16 female) over the age of 55, body composition (bioelectrical impedance), HbA1c (HbA1c analyzer), and subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were measured. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were used for the quantitative measurement of IL-6 and CRP. Partial correlations were conducted controlling for sex to investigate relationships. RESULTS: Mean values were (mean ±sd): age (64.1 ± 4.88 years), HOMA-IR (6.097 ± 4.32), HbA1c (5.4737 ± .19 %), IL-6 (4.988 ± 3.797 ng/mL), CRP (3.8±2.99 mg/dL)PSQI (10.36 ± 2.586), and BMI (34.95 ± 4.79). HOMA-IR was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with subjective sleep quality (r= 0.537) and HbA1c (r=0.512). HbA1c was significantly correlated with subjective sleep (r=0.473). IL-6 trended toward significant correlation with HOMA-IR (p=0.056) and HbA1c (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: These data support that subjective sleep quality measures are associated with both HOMA-IR and HbA1c. The action of insulin in its transduction pathway may be affected by quality of sleep. IL-6 could influence insulin sensitivity, but more data would be needed to support these previous research findings.
Authors: Daniel Canter, Madelyn K. Myers, Arushi M. Chalke, Kyle L. Timmerman, PhD, FACSM
Faculty Advisor: Kyle L. Timmerman, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health
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