Abstract:Objective To investigate the level of TNF-α, IL-6, 25-(OH)D3 and its relationship with insulin resistance in abdominal obese men with normal glucose tolerance. Methods This case-control study included 52 abdominal obese men (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm) and 49 non-abdominal obese men (waist circumference < 90 cm) with normal glucose tolerance. TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, total bilirubin (TBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), bile acid (BA) and 25-(OH)D3 were measured. Besides, the risk factors of insulin resistance were analyzed with multiple linear regression. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), fasting insulin (FINS), TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, BA, and HOMA-IR increased in abdominal obese group (P < 0.05), while TBIL, DBIL, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and 25-(OH)D3 decreased in abdominal obese group (P < 0.05). BMI (r =0.424), WC (r =0.421), DBP (r =0.416) and HOMA-IR (r =0.456) showed a positive correlation with TNF-α (P < 0.05). However, DBIL (r =-0.474) and 25-(OH)D3 (r =-0.483) were negatively correlated with TNF-α (P < 0.05). BMI (r =0.400), WC (r =0.436) and HOMA-IR (r =0.559) showed a positive correlation with IL-6 (P < 0.05), whereas DBIL (r =-0.432) and 25-(OH)D3 (r =-0.452) were negatively correlated with IL-6 (P < 0.05). The level of 25-(OH)D3 [b =-0.183, (95% CI: -0.345, -0.021)] was the protective factor of HOMA-IR, while IL-6 [b =0.329, (95% CI: 0.175, 0.483)] was the risk factor of HOMA-IR. Conclusions Abdominal obese men with normal glucose tolerance develop dyslipidemia, abnormal blood pressure, insulin resistance, decreased vitamin D and enhanced chronic inflammatory responses, in which enhanced chronic inflammatory responses and vitamin D may play an important role in insulin resistance.