Pro-inflammatory cytokines in Turkish children with protein-energy malnutrition

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) results from food insufficiency as well as from poor social and economic conditions. Development of PEM is due to insufficient nutrition. Children with PEM lose their resistance to infections because of a disordered immune system. It has been reported that the changes occurring in mediators referred to as cytokines in the immune system may be indicators of the disorders associated with PEM. AIMS: To determine the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with PEM, and to find out whether there was an association with the clinical presentation of PEM. METHODS: The levels of serum total protein, albumin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were measured in 25 patients with PEM and in 18 healthy children as a control group. PEM was divided into two groups as kwashiorkor and marasmus. The kwashiorkor group consisted of 15 children and the marasmus group consisted of 10 children. RESULTS: Levels of serum total protein and albumin of the kwashiorkor group were significantly lower than both the marasmus group and controls (p < 0.05). In view of tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, there was no difference between groups (p > 0.05). While levels of interleukin-6 in both the marasmus group and the kwashiorkor group were significantly higher compared with controls (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups of marasmus and kwashiorkor (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the inflammatory response had increased in children with malnutrition.

T lymphocytes from malnourished infants are short-lived and dysfunctional cells

“…These polypeptides are synthesized in response to microorganisms and other antigens, and they mediate and regulate immune and inflammatory reactions. Many studies have described alteration in the expression of different cytokines during malnutrition (Mengheri et al 1992;Doherty et al 1994;Ameho et al 1997;Lofty et al 1998;Malavé et al 1998;Dülger et al 2002;Amesty et al 2003;Rodríguez et al 2005;González-Martínez et al 2008).…”

Relationship between birthweight and arterial elasticity in childhood

“…Several previous studies have demonstrated endothelial dysfunction in obese children [60][61][62][63]; however, in most of these studies, obesity was classified based on different cut-off values and elevated BMIs were selected, very high values compared with the children from our present study.…”

Mechanisms of nutrient modulation of the immune response

“…The interaction of chronic undernutrition and infection further weakens the immune response, leading to altered immune cell populations 6,7 and a generalized increase in inflammatory mediators. 8 Reduction of leukotrienes, which enhance leukocyte accumulation and phagocyte capacity, impairs microbial ingestion and killing. 9 The overall effects might include altered microbial colonization of mucosal surfaces and impaired host response to new pathogens.…”