The Role of Serum CC-Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) in Obesity: A Comparative Study with Normal Subjects

Excess fat in the visceral area in the form of obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome. Various factors have been identified that contribute to the pathophysiology of obesity-related metabolic diseases, including chronic inflammatory factors and immune system activation. One of the components of the immune and inflammatory system is CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), which is secreted by adipose cells. This study aimed to analyze the role of CCL2 by comparing the serum CCL2 levels between obese and non-obese subjects at Warmadewa University. Employing a cross-sectional design, sixty participants were selected through consecutive sampling and assessed for body weight, height, and serum CCL2 levels using the ELISA method. Data were analysed using the independent t-test. The p-value <0.05 was significant. This study indicated that serum CCL2 levels were significantly lower in obese individuals, measuring 111.57 ± 33.51 pg/mL, compared to 133.44 ± 44.91 pg/mL in individuals with normal weight. This difference was statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.0370. CCL2 levels in normal subjects were found to be higher than in obese subjects, suggesting a possible alteration in chemokine regulation associated with obesity. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms.