Circulating activated endothelial cells in pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Pediatric obesity is a growing health concern with potential long-term cardiovascular implications.
• The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in cardiovascular health, and its dysfunction is an early marker of disease.
• Understanding endothelial activation in pediatric obesity is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize vascular endothelial state in pediatric obesity.
• To compare circulating endothelial cell (CEC) number and activation in severely obese children versus normal weight, overweight, and obese children.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical examination of buffy-coat smears to enumerate CEC.
• Immunofluorescence microscopy to quantify activated CEC in 107 children and adolescents.
• Comparison of CEC in normal weight, overweight, obese, and severely obese groups, with adjustments for covariates.

Main Results:

• Activated CEC increased significantly with higher body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) quartiles.
• CEC number and activated CEC were highest in the severely obese group.
• CEC number correlated with SBP, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides; activated CEC correlated with SBP and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusions:

• The vascular endothelium shows activation in relation to excess adiposity, particularly in severely obese children.
• Elevated SBP is associated with endothelial activation in children and adolescents.
• Findings highlight the impact of obesity and hypertension on endothelial health in pediatric populations.