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Serum interferon gamma concentration is associated with bone mineral density in overweight boys

L Utsal1, V Tillmann, M Zilmer

  • 1Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, 50090, Tartu, Estonia, liina.utsal@ut.ee.

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|February 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to inflammation and altered bone accumulation. This study found that serum interferon gamma (IFNγ) correlates with bone density in overweight boys, suggesting a role in bone health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is increasingly recognized as a condition associated with low-grade inflammation.
  • Overweight children exhibit distinct bone accumulation patterns compared to normal-weight children.
  • The interplay between inflammation and bone development in pediatric obesity remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between common inflammatory markers and the development of obesity.
  • To explore the relationship between inflammation and bone accumulation in childhood.
  • To assess if serum inflammatory markers correlate with bone mineral density and content in overweight boys.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 76 boys (38 overweight, 38 normal weight) aged 10-11 years were analyzed for 13 inflammatory markers.
  • Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
  • Calculations included total body (TB) BMC for height, and TB and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral apparent density (BMAD).

Main Results:

  • Overweight boys demonstrated higher mean TB and LS BMD, TB BMC, and TB BMC for height, but lower mean TB BMAD compared to normal-weight peers (p < 0.05).
  • Serum interferon gamma (IFNγ) concentration positively correlated with TB BMD (r=0.36), TB BMC (r=0.38), and TB BMC for height (r=0.53) in the overweight cohort.
  • In obese boys (BMI > 95th centile), IFNγ showed a significant correlation with LS BMD (r=0.38).

Conclusions:

  • The positive correlation between serum IFNγ and bone mineral density suggests that inflammation may influence bone accumulation in overweight children.
  • Interferon gamma (IFNγ) may serve as a potential mediator linking adipose tissue and bone health in pediatric obesity.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific role of IFNγ in the complex relationship between obesity, inflammation, and skeletal development.
Abstract

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