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New Insights in Cytokines in Childhood Obesity: Changes in TWEAK and CD163 After a 2-Year Intervention Program in
Rocío Escartín1, Maria Font1, José Miguel González-Clemente2
1Pediatric Endocrine Department, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain.
Insights
Higher CD163 levels were found in obese children. After a 2-year intervention, Tumor Necrosis Factor Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) increased in those who lost weight, suggesting roles in pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Obesity is linked to low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue.
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) and Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163) are cytokines implicated in obesity pathogenesis.
- Their role in prepubertal children remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum TWEAK and CD163 levels in prepubertal children with obesity versus lean controls.
- To evaluate changes in these cytokines after a 2-year intervention program for childhood obesity.
- To assess the relationship between cytokine levels and weight loss outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study with 2-year prospective follow-up was conducted.
- Seventy-three prepubertal children with obesity and 47 lean controls were enrolled.
- Measurements included anthropometrics, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, and serum TWEAK/CD163 levels; weight loss was defined as a ≥0.5 SD decrease in BMI z-score.
Main Results:
- Children with obesity exhibited higher baseline CD163 levels compared to controls.
- No significant baseline differences in TWEAK or the CD163/TWEAK ratio were observed.
- Post-intervention, TWEAK levels were higher, and the CD163/TWEAK ratio was lower in children who achieved weight loss; CD163 decreased in all participants.
Conclusions:
- TWEAK and CD163 play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity in prepubertal children.
- Intervention programs may modulate TWEAK and CD163 levels, particularly in children achieving significant weight loss.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms involved.
Objective:
Obesity is characterized by a low-grade inflammatory state in adipose tissue. Tumor Necrosis Factor Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) and Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163) are cytokines potentially involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. Little is known about them in children. The aim of this study was to observe serum levels of TWEAK and CD163 in prepubertal children with obesity compared to lean, and to evaluate its changes after a 2-year intervention program in children with obesity.
Methods:
Case-control study with a prospective follow-up of cases for 2 years in a referral pediatric endocrine outpatient centre. Seventy-three prepubertal children with obesity, and forty-seven age- and gender-matched lean controls were studied. Sixty-two cases finished the program. Anthropometric parameters, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, and concentrations of TWEAK and CD163 were determined. Children with obesity were re-evaluated after a 2-year intervention program consisting of diet and exercise. Weight loss was considered if z-score Body Mass Index (BMI) decreased at least 0.5 Standard Deviations (SD).
Results:
We observed higher CD163 levels in children with obesity compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in TWEAK and CD163/TWEAK ratio at baseline. After the 2-year intervention program, TWEAK levels were higher and CD163/TWEAK ratio was lower in children with weight loss than those without weight loss. CD163 decreased in both groups.
Conclusion:
TWEAK and CD163 seem to have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity in prepubertal children.
