Pro-inflammatory triggers in childhood obesity: correlation between leptin, adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in a group of obese Portuguese children.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Pediatric obesity is increasingly prevalent in the Portuguese population. Adipocyte dysfunction results in the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators that are responsible for the low-grade inflammatory process that characterizes obesity.

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between markers of adiposity, inflammation and adipokines in a Portuguese obese pediatric population.

METHODS:

One hundred and twenty children of both sexes, aged 6-17 years, were included in this study. The control group consisted of 41 healthy normal-weight children. The variables analyzed were age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass percentage, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leptin and adiponectin.

RESULTS:

There were significant differences between controls and obese children for all parameters analyzed. In the obese group, after controlling for age and gender, hs-CRP (p=0.041), adiponectin (p=0.019) and leptin (p<0.001) still showed significant statistical differences. A direct correlation was found between hs-CRP, leptin, body mass index and waist circumference, the strongest being with leptin (r=0.568; p<0.001). This trend remained statistically significant, regardless of gender or pubertal age.

CONCLUSIONS:

Considering the role of leptin, adiponectin and hs-CRP in the genesis of endothelial dysfunction, they may be used in clinical practice for risk stratification, as well as in the assessment of weight control programs.

• Authors: António Pires, Paula Martins, Ana Margarida Pereira, Joana Marinho, Patrícia Vaz Silva, Margarida Marques, Eduardo Castela, Cristina Sena, Raquel Seiça
• Journal: Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgao oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (Rev Port Cardiol) Vol. 33 Issue 11 Pg. 691-7 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 2174-2030 [Electronic] Portugal
• PMID: 25448795 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• ADIPOQ protein, human
• Adiponectin
• Leptin
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adiponectin (blood)
• Adolescent
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Leptin (blood)
• Male
• Pediatric Obesity (blood)
• Portugal