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Inverse correlation of serum inflammatory markers with metabolic parameters in healthy, Black and White prepubertal youth

International Journal of Obesity volume 38, pages 563–568 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To examine for the first time the associations between pro-inflammatory cytokines and obesity-related metabolic biomarkers in, exclusively prepubertal, otherwise healthy obese and non-obese Black and White children, 7–9 years of age.

Design and methods:

Body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance, visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT (magnetic resonance imaging)); total body fat (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), ectopic, intrahepatic lipid (IHL) and intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) fat (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were measured in 40 obese and non-obese children. Relationships between inflammatory cytokines and obesity were assessed by analysis of variance and Spearman’s rank correlation.

Results:

Significant inverse correlations were found between BMI z-score, SAT, total BF, and IHL and levels of TNF-α (Spearman’s ρ=−0.36, −0.39, −0.43 and −0.39, respectively; P<0.05). Levels of IL-8 were significantly and inversely correlated with IMCL (−0.39; P=0.03) and remained significant after adjusting for race. IMCL was inversely associated with TNF-α only after adjusting for race (−0.37; P=0.04).

Conclusions:

Relationships between pro-inflammatory and metabolic markers commonly observed in adults are reversed in healthy, Black and White children before puberty. Prospective studies are warranted to determine how these inverse relationships modify chronic disease risk later in life.

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Acknowledgements

Research relating to this manuscript was supported by NICHD 1R01HD41071-01A2, 1R01HD49046-05, NCMHD P20 MD00481701, NIDDK (NORC) 1P30 DK072476, NIGMS—P20GM103501, R01HL072889, the LSU Health Sciences Center CTRC, LSUHSC IRB, and Children's Hospital in New Orleans, and the Women's Hospital and Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    J Zabaleta, J Estrada & M Sothern

  2. Behavioral & Community Health Sciences Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    J Zabaleta, N Pelligrino, M C Mohler, T-S Tseng & M Sothern

  3. Biostatistics Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    C Velasco-Gonzalez

  4. John S McIlhenny Skeletal Muscle Physiology Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    E Ravussin & M Sothern

  5. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

    E Larson-Meyer

  6. Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    A H Boulares

  7. School of Nursing, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Y Powell-Young

  8. Louisiana State Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA, USA

    B Bennett

  9. Department of Internal Medicine Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    K Happel

  10. Department of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Diabetes and Metabolism, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    W Cefalu

  11. Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R Scribner

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Correspondence to J Zabaleta.

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Zabaleta, J., Velasco-Gonzalez, C., Estrada, J. et al. Inverse correlation of serum inflammatory markers with metabolic parameters in healthy, Black and White prepubertal youth. Int J Obes 38, 563–568 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.220

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