Cytokine status of neonates born to obese mothers

Abstract

Objective. To study the features of the cytokine status of neonates born to obese mothers. Patients and methods. The study included 56 full-term neonates born to mothers with normal body mass index (BMI = 18.5- 24.9 kg/m2) (n = 24) and with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) (n = 32). Both groups had no gender-related differences; there were 60 and 58% of boys, (p > 0.05), 40 and 42% of girls, respectively, (p > 0.05). Levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-18, IL-13, IL-10, and IFN-γ in umbilical cord blood were determined by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Compared with children born to mothers with normal BMI, children born to obese mothers had increased levels of TNF-α (4.94 ± 3.55 (n = 24) and 12.75 ± 10.80 (n = 32) pg/mL, respectively) and IFN-γ (7098.14 (n = 24) and 25536.38 ± 9541.82 (n = 32) pg/mL, respectively) in umbilical cord blood serum. Conclusion. Maternal overweight and obesity are associated with increased levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in umbilical cord blood serum in children, which confirms previous observations of immune dysregulation in offspring of obese mothers, providing a potential link with increased incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases and obesity in children. The mechanisms of this effect require further investigation. Key words: maternal obesity, cytokine status, umbilical cord blood, neonates, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-18, IL-13, IL-10, IFN-γ