Phase angle is associated with inflammatory parameters in young adults and adults with metabolic syndrome in a population-based study

Background and aims

Phase angle (PhA) is suggested to reflect cell health. PhA association with inflammation and adiposity in metabolic syndrome (MetS) presence or absence, remains unclear. In the general population, PhA association with C-reactive protein (CRP) is controversial, and studies on PhA with other inflammatory markers are a literature gap. This study aims to evaluate the association of PhA with inflammatory and adiposity-related parameters in males and females with and without MetS.

Methods and results

Cross-sectional study with 597 adults (38.4 years; CI95 % 36.35–40.45) categorized into MetS (n = 126, 57.9 % female) and non-MetS (n = 471, 55.2 % female). Single-frequency bioimpedance analysis evaluated PhA. Adiposity-related (BMI, visceral adiposity index, and body fat percentage (%BF) by dual-energy x-ray emission) and serum inflammatory parameters (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12p70) were evaluated. Regression analyses adjusted by age, and physical activity level, with or without %BF, evaluated the associations. In males MetS, PhA was negatively associated with %BF, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-12p70 (β = −0.07, p = 0.005, β = −0.03, p = 0.035, β = −0.06, p = 0.006, β = −0.03, p = 0.048, β = −0.02, p = 0.038, respectively) and positively associated with BMI (β = 0.07, p = 0.003) in non-MetS. In females MetS, PhA was negatively associated with TNF-α and IL-12p70 (β = −0.02, p = 0.048, β = −0.01, p = 0.016, respectively) and positively with IMC, %BF, TNF-α and IL-8 (β = 0.07, p < 0.001, β = 0.02, p = 0.021, β = 0.02, p = 0.011, β = 0.01, p = 0.035, respectively) in non-MetS.

Conclusion

In MetS individuals, higher PhA values are associated with lower inflammatory parameters in both sexes and %BF in males. The different behavior of PhA in females, suggests caution when interpreting PhA in this population.