Association between low-grade chronic inflammation with adipocytokines and body fat mass in superobese male children

• Main Authors: Aryono Hendarto, Sudigdo Sastroasmoro, Damayanti Rusli Sjarif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indonesian Pediatric Society Publishing House 2019-02-01
• Series: Paediatrica Indonesiana
• Subjects: hsCRP; adipocytokines; body fat mass; superobese; children
• Online Access: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/2072
• ISSN: 0030-9311; 2338-476X

Background Obesity causes adipocytokines dysregulation and enhances the pro-inflammatory response. Low-grade chronic inflammation is related to cardiometabolic diseases. Objective To evaluate the status of low-grade chronic inflammation in pre-pubertal, obese boys and its potential correlation to adipocytokines and body fat mass. Methods This cross-sectional study included pre-pubertal, male, superobese children as the subjects. We determined obesity status using the CDC 2000 BMI-for-age chart. Body fat percentage was measured using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). Fasting blood specimens were collected to evaluate hsCRP, leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels. Results Eighty subjects were recruited into this study, with a mean age of 6.9 years. Ten subjects (12.5%) had low-grade chronic inflammation (hsCRP level ≥ 1 mg/L). The levels of hsCRP was not correlated with leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels. A weak, but significant correlation was observed between hsCRP level and body fat mass (r= +0.383; P<0.0001). The hsCRP level increased with increasing body fat mass, until it reached its peak at body fat mass of 28 kg. Beyond that point, hsCRP level was stable. Conclusion Low-grade chronic inflammation begins at a young age in obese children. The hsCRP level has a weak correlation with body fat mass, but no correlation with adipocytokine levels. Prevention and treatment of childhood obesity should be prioritized to prevent further cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.