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[TNF-alpha and carbohydrate and lipid parameters in overweight and obese children]

Joanna Goral1

  • 1Samodzielna Pracownia Propedeutyki Chorób Dzieci Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin.

Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis
|April 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were comparable in obese and lean children, but correlated with abdominal obesity in girls. Increased TNF-alpha was linked to lipid disturbances and atherogenesis risk in prepubertal children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Inflammation and Obesity Studies

Context:

  • Obesity in children is associated with metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
  • Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and related complications.
  • Understanding the role of TNF-alpha in pediatric obesity is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and preventing long-term health issues like atheromatosis.

Purpose:

  • To determine fasting serum concentrations of TNF-alpha in overweight and obese children.
  • To analyze the relationships between TNF-alpha and insulin resistance, lipid disturbances, and markers of atheromatosis risk.
  • To assess correlations between TNF-alpha and anthropometric measures (BMI, WHR), leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1).

Summary:

  • Serum TNF-alpha concentrations were comparable between obese and lean children, but increased with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in obese girls, indicating a link to abdominal obesity.
  • TNF-alpha levels did not correlate with fat-free mass or BMI but showed relationships with decreased HDL cholesterol and increased triglycerides (TG) in overweight/obese children, particularly during pubertal stages II-III.
  • A positive correlation between TNF-alpha and PAI-1 was observed in boys with elevated TG, suggesting an increased risk of atherogenesis.

Impact:

  • Highlights the importance of monitoring lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome markers in prepubertal children with excessive body weight.
  • Suggests targeted interventions for boys with elevated TG and increased PAI-1 due to heightened atherogenesis risk.
  • Indicates that while TNF-alpha may not be the sole driver of carbohydrate disturbances in obese children, its role in lipid metabolism and atheromatosis risk warrants attention.
Abstract

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