Original Ar ticle Association of dietary fiber with high sensitivity C-reactive proteinin type 2 diabetes mellitus I A Begum 1 , M Sen 2 , S F Afrin 3 , S S Moutoshi 4 , M A Islam 5 , M H Rahman 6 Abstract: Introduction: Hs-CRP is a nonspecific marker of the inflammatory response has been associated with devel- opment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular disease is a major consequence of diabetes. DM confers a 2-4 fold rise in cardiovascular risk compared with general population. One of the many modifiable risk fac- tors for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes is diet. Fiber is an important dietary factor that may modi- fy the risk of both diseases. Material & methods: The current study is an attempt to explore the association of dietary fiber on inflammatory marker, hs-CRP in type2 diabetic subjects. Total 80 diabetic subjects were included in this study of which 40 were taking more dietary fiber and 40 were taking relatively low dietary fiber. Serum hs-CRP was measured by chemiluminescent immunometric assay (DPC Biermann Gmbh., Germany). Nutrient information was calculated using a pretested food recall questionnaire prepared by nutri- tionists for usual Bangladeshi food articles. Results: Hs-CRP was significantly higher in subjects taking low dietary fiber. There was significant negative correlation between CRP of subjects taking high and low intake of dietary fiber. Conclusion: So, low dietary fiber consumption maybe a possible causal factor of raised CRP. Type 2 diabetic patients who took less dietary fiber in their diets had elevated blood CRP levels. Key words: Hs-CRP: High sensitivity C- reactive protein, Dietary fiber, T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Intr oduction Diabetes mellitus is a fast expanding global health problem. Hs-CRP is a nonspecific marker of the inflammatory response has been associated with development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In type 2 diabetes mellitus increased hs- CRP was found 1 . Cardiovascular disease is a major consequence of diabetes. DM confers a 2-4 fold rise in cardiovascu- lar risk compared with general population 2 . Further more cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is increase in patients with elevated CRP levels 3 . C- reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation recently recognized as an independent predictor of future coronary heart disease 4-8 . Based on data from the 1988 to 1994 third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), the prevalence of elevated CRP concentrations (>3.0 mg/L) was 13.7% for men and 27.3% for women 9 . Lifestyle factors that influence CRP concentrations may pro- vide an important intervention opportunity to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and their complications. One of the many modifiable risk fac- tors for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes is diet. Fiber is an important dietary factor that may modify the risk of both diseases 10 –14 . Dietary fiber intake is associated with decreased oxidation of lipids, which in turn is associated with decreased inflammation 15 . It has been postulated that a low- fiber diet with highly refined carbohydrates can con- tribute to hyperglycemia, which increases the proin- flammatory cytokines plasma interleukin (IL) 6 (IL- 6), tumor necrosis factor?, and IL-18 16 . IL-6 is a pri- mary determinant of CRP production; thus, consis- tently elevated concentrations of IL-6 might result in elevated CRP concentrations. Again, chronic low grade inflammation in diabetes is associated with the dietary pattern. On the contrary, in a cross-sectional study among British population 17 , a dietary pattern characterized by high intake of fruits and vegetables was inversely associated with features of metabolic Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 11 No. 02 April’12 117 1. Dr. Ismat Ara Begum, Assistant professor of Biochemistry, Popular Medical College, Dhaka. 2. Dr. Moushumi Sen, Assistant professor of Biochemistry, Anwer Khan Modern Medical College, Dhaka. 3. Dr. Syeda Fahmida Afrin, Assistant professor of Biochemistry, Ibn Sina Medical College, Dhaka. 4. Dr. Shafia Sharmin Moutoshi, Assistant professor of Biochemistry, Holly Family Red Cresent Medical College, Dhaka. 5. Dr. Md. Ashraful Islam, Resident, Orthopaedics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. 6. Dr. Md. Hasanur Rahman, Associate consultant, Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital & Research centre, Dhaka Corr esponds to : Dr. Ismat Ara Begum, Assistant professor of Biochemistry, Popular Medical College, Road-2, House- 25, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Email: dr_ismatara@yahoo.com.