Zeinab Babaei - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Hadi Parsian - Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Dariush Moslemi - Department of Radiation Oncology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

Background: It is hypothesized that chronic inflammation is associated with breast cancer development. In this study, we determined the status of total protein, albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in obese breast cancer patients vs. to normal weight ones. Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, among breast cancer patients (stage II-III) who were treated previously and referred to the Shahid Rajaee hospital (Babolsar, Mazandaran) for routine follow-up, 45 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and 30 normal weight ones (18.5≤ BMI <25 kg/m2) were selected. Serum levels of total protein and albumin were measured with spectrophotometric method. CRP levels were determined by latex immunoturbidimetric assay. And the resulted data were compared by independent T-test via SPSS software. Results:Lower serum albumin and higher CRP concentrations were observed in obese patients in comparison of non-obese ones (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in total protein levels between two groups (P> 0.05). A positive correlation between CRP levels and BMI was found (r= 0.33, P= 0.003). Interestingly a negative correlation between serum albumin levels with BMI was observed (r= -0.39, P= 0.000). Conclusions: As Alterations in inflammatory markers were observed in included obese patients in comparison of non-obese one and such alterations synergize in obese patients, it is recommended that previously treated breast cancer patients, strictly control their BMI.

Breast cancer, obesity, body mass index, C-reactive protein, albumin