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

2014; Elsevier BV; Volume: 33; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.repc.2014.04.004

2174-2030

António Pires, Paula Martins, Ana Margarida Pereira, Joana Marinho, Patrícia Vaz Silva, Margarida Marques, Eduardo Castela, Cristina M. Sena, Raquel Seiça,

Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

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