The molecular mechanisms of obesity-related insulin resistance are incompletely understood. Macrophages accumulate in adipose tissue of obese individuals. In obesity, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a key chemokine in the process of macrophage accumulation, is overexpressed in adipose tissue. MCP-1 is an insulin-responsive gene that continues to respond to exogenous insulin in insulin-resistant adipocytes and mice. MCP-1 decreases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into adipocytes. The A–2518G polymorphism in the distal regulatory region of MCP-1 may regulate gene expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of this gene polymorphism on insulin resistance.

We genotyped the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) cohort (n=3307). Insulin resistance, estimated by homeostasis model assessment, and Type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in 803 and 635 patients respectively.

Univariate analysis revealed that plasma MCP-1 levels were significantly and positively correlated with WHR (p=0.011), insulin resistance (p=0.0097) and diabetes (p<0.0001). Presence of the MCP-1 G–2518 allele was associated with decreased plasma MCP-1 (p=0.017), a decreased prevalence of insulin resistance (odds ratio [OR]=0.82, 95% CI: 0.70–0.97, p=0.021) and a decreased prevalence of diabetes (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.96, p=0.014). In multivariate analysis, the G allele retained statistical significance as a negative predictor of insulin resistance (OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.65–0.93, p=0.0060) and diabetes (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96, p=0.018).

In a large cohort of Caucasians, the MCP-1 G–2518 gene variant was significantly and negatively correlated with plasma MCP-1 levels and the prevalence of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. These results add to recent evidence supporting a role for MCP-1 in pathologies associated with hyperinsulinaemia.