Platelet and leptin in obese adolescents

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Obesity in adolescents is a growing concern with potential impacts on metabolic and immune functions.
• Understanding hormonal and hematological changes associated with adolescent obesity is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between obesity status and immune cell counts, cortisol, and leptin concentrations in adolescents.
• To establish correlations between these physiological markers and obesity in a post-pubertal cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and non-obese (BMI ≤ 75th percentile) adolescents (15-19 years) was analyzed.
• Blood samples were used to quantify leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, cortisol, and leptin.
• Statistical analysis included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and independent Student t tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, or cortisol concentrations between obese and non-obese groups.
• Obese adolescents exhibited significantly higher platelet and leptin concentrations compared to their non-obese counterparts (p < 0.01).
• Hyperleptinemia was more prevalent in obese adolescents (25.92%), with a higher incidence in girls (35.7%) than in boys (15.38%).

Conclusions:

• Adolescent obesity is associated with elevated platelet and leptin levels.
• Obese girls demonstrate a greater prevalence of hyperleptinemia compared to obese boys.
• Immune cell counts and cortisol levels do not appear to be directly influenced by obesity status in this adolescent group.