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Interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-6 receptor/interleukin-6 complex and insulin resistance in obese children and

G De Filippo1,2,3, D Rendina4, F Moccia5

  • 1Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Gaetano Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy. gianpaolo.defilippo@bct.aphp.fr.

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|September 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Obese children and adolescents show higher interleukin-6 (IL6) and lower soluble IL6 receptor (sIL6R) levels, linked to insulin resistance (IR). These findings highlight IL6 and sIL6R as potential biomarkers for IR in pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Inflammation and Obesity

Background:

  • Obesity in children and adolescents is a growing concern, often associated with metabolic complications like insulin resistance (IR).
  • Interleukin-6 (IL6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in metabolic dysfunction.
  • The role of soluble IL6 receptor (sIL6R) in pediatric obesity and its association with IR requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of interleukin-6 (IL6) and soluble IL6 receptor (sIL6R) in obese children and adolescents.
  • To examine the relationship between IL6, sIL6R, and insulin resistance (IR) in this population.
  • To assess the complex of IL6/sIL6R in relation to obesity markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 66 obese children/adolescents and 24 non-obese controls were studied.
  • Fasting glucose, insulin, IL6, sIL6R, and sgp130 levels were measured.
  • Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment for IR (HOMA-IR).

Main Results:

  • Obese subjects exhibited significantly higher insulin, IL6 levels, and HOMA-IR compared to controls.
  • Soluble IL6 receptor (sIL6R) levels were significantly lower in obese individuals.
  • In obese subjects, IL6 correlated positively with BMI z-score and waist-to-height ratio, while sIL6R inversely correlated with HOMA-IR.

Conclusions:

  • Insulin resistance (IR) in obese children and adolescents is associated with elevated IL6 levels.
  • Diminished sIL6R values are also linked to IR in this pediatric cohort.
  • IL6 and sIL6R may serve as potential indicators for IR in the context of pediatric obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
IL-6Insulin resistanceObesityPediatricsTranssignalling

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