Elevated Serum IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, CRP, and IFN-γ Levels in 10- to 11-Year-Old Boys with Increased BMI

Abstract

Background/Aims: Many inflammation parameters are associated with obesity, but few comparable data are found in youth. This study aims to characterize the differences in serum levels of 13 biochemical inflammatory markers between boys with increased BMI and boys with normal BMI, and examine the relationships between inflammation markers, skinfold thicknesses, and body composition. Participants/Methods: The participants were 38 boys (BMI above 85th percentile) and 38 boys (normal BMI) at the age of 10–11 years. Measurements included BMI, 9 skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumferences, and total body and trunk fat mass and percentage as indices of obesity, fasting insulin, glucose, and serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, VEGF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor, and CRP. Results: Overweight boys (OWB) were taller and more frequently in puberty than normal-weight boys (NWB). Skinfold thicknesses and body composition parameters were higher in OWB. They had significantly higher serum IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, MCP-1, and CRP values compared to NWB. Conclusions: Six of 13 measured biochemical markers were significantly increased in OWB, indicating that many low-grade inflammatory processes are already involved in the development of obesity in childhood.

Associations between Bone Mineral Characteristics and Serum Levels of Ghrelin and Peptide YY in Overweight Adolescent Boys

“…Second, the number of overweight subjects was relatively small in our study, and some significant correlations found in the NWB group might have been missed due to the lack of statistical power. However, our sample size is very similar to that in many other studies [30,31,35,48]. The study by Pacifico et al [1] found lower serum acylated and des-acyl ghrelin levels in overweight boys compared to those with normal weight.…”

“…It is known that children with obesity are taller and their pubertal development starts earlier than in normal-weight children [35,38]. Therefore, we would have expected that our OWB group would be more advanced in their puberty, but this was not the case, similar to what has been found in other studies [37,39].…”

“…If a disagreement between the development of genitalia and pubic hair stages was found, the final decision was made according to the degree of genitalia development [32]. The self-assessment of pubertal development in boys has been previously used in many studies at our study center [33,34,35]. …”

Randomized Study of the Effects of Statin on Inflammatory and Prothrombotic States in Obese Adolescents

“…The MCP-1 level is significantly higher in obese children than in lean ones, independent of pubertal stage [12,13]. CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are also positively linked with BMI, total body fat percentage and trunk fat mass [12].…”

“…CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are also positively linked with BMI, total body fat percentage and trunk fat mass [12]. Interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP-10) plays roles in monocytes/macrophage and T-cell chemotaxis, promotes T-cell adhesion to endothelial cells, and has an angiostatic effect [14].…”