The adipokines and inflammatory status in the era of pediatric obesity

Introduction: Obesity is associated with a chronic inflammation due to the deficiency in immune activity related to adipose tissue. A wide-spectrum of pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by adipocytes play an important role in the assessment of obesity-associated inflammatory status. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between IL and 1 beta, IL-6, TNF alpha, leptin, and inflammatory status in children with overweight/obesity. Material and methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 193 children, admitted to a Pediatric Tertiary Hospital in Romania. The children were divided according to BMI into: the study group-91 children with overweight/obesity, and the control group-102 children with normal BMI. Demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory parameters including the serum levels of several adipokines (leptin, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha) were assessed in both groups. Results: Our findings revealed significantly higher values of leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, AST, and ALT, as well as for the lipid metabolism parameters including cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP, in children with overweight/obesity. We found significantly higher levels of adipokines in the serum of children with overweight and obesity assessed for leptin, IL6, and TNF alpha (p = 0.0145/p < 0.0001/ p = 0.004/), except for IL-1 beta serum levels. Conclusions: Childhood overweight and/or obesity is associated with a systemic inflammatory status demonstrated by increased levels of CBC parameters. Pro-inflammatory adipokines are also an essential factor in obesity-related inflammatory status according to our findings that underlined the importance of increased serum levels of IL-6, TNF alpha, and leptin in pediatric patients with overweight/obesity. Clinically, CBC parameters along with adipokines might represent useful diagnostic tools for low-grade systemic inflammation in children with overweight or obesity.