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Carbohydrates, glycemic index and diabetes mellitus

Inflammatory markers and metabolic syndrome among adolescents

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 66, pages 1141–1145 (2012)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The alarming increase in obesity worldwide is of concern, owing to the associations of obesity with metabolic syndrome (MetS), which has been associated with a proinflammatory state characterized by elevated plasma concentrations of several markers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess levels of inflammatory markers and their association with MetS among adolescents.

Subjects/Methods:

A random sample of adolescents (n=362, 143 boys and 219 girls, 12–17 years) was interviewed, anthropometrically measured and provided a fasting blood sample. Circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured. The association between inflammatory markers and sex, age, body mass index (BMI) status, MetS, physical activity and blood pressure was also calculated.

Results:

Adiponectin levels are inversely associated and leptin levels are directly associated with MetS and BMI, but directly with gender (females show higher levels than boys), and PAI-1 levels are directly associated with MetS, among adolescents.

Conclusions:

Leptin, adiponectin and PAI-1 may be used as biomarkers to predict MetS among adolescents.

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Acknowledgements

The funding sources were Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumption Affairs (Programme of Promotion of Biomedical Research and Health Sciences, Projects 05/1276 and 08/1259, and Red Predimed-RETIC RD06/0045/1004), Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (FPU Programme, PhD fellowship to Maria del Mar Bibiloni). The Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands belongs to the Centre Català de la Nutrició (IEC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    M González, M del Mar Bibiloni, A Pons, I Llompart & J A Tur

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  1. M González
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Correspondence to J A Tur.

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Contributors: IL and JAT conceived, designed and devised the study, and MG and MdMB collected and supervised the samples. MG, IL and JAT analysed the data and wrote the manuscript. AP and JAT supervised the study. AP and JAT obtained funding.

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González, M., del Mar Bibiloni, M., Pons, A. et al. Inflammatory markers and metabolic syndrome among adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 66, 1141–1145 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.112

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