Proinflammatory state in obese children

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects adults as well as children and is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One of the reasons for the presence of low-grade inflammation in these patients could be that adipose tissue of the obese produces proin flammatory molecules that favor the development of atherosclerosis. To determine serum levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), in an obese chil dren population compared to a control group, also to analyze the correlation of these molecules with the anthropometric and metabolic variables. A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 37 obese children, aged 8 to 12 years, and 20 children with normal weight. Serum levels of sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α and hsCRP were determined. Data were expressed as the median and interquartil range and Spearman coefficient was used to investigate correlations between variables. Compared to the control group, obese children presented significantly higher values of sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and hsCRP than control group. Body mass index and waist circumference correlated positively with sCD40L and MCP-1. Elevated levels of the studied molecules studied suggest the presence of low-grade inflammation associated with obesity in this population.