Associations Between Serum TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP and GLMD in Obese Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To explore the relationships between serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and glucolipid metabolism disorders (GLMD) in obese children and adolescents. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 105 obese children and adolescents were selected for the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP, and glycolipid metabolism indicators. All participants were divided into elevated TNF-α group (≥8.1 pg/mL; n=49) and normal TNF-α group (<8.1 pg/mL; n=56), elevated IL-6 group (≥5.9 pg/mL; n=13) and normal IL-6 group (<5.9 pg/mL; n=92), elevated hs-CRP group (≥3.0 mg/L; n=44) and normal hs-CRP group (<3.0 mg/L; n=61), respectively. Results: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the elevated TNF-α group was higher than that in the normal TNF-α group (P=0.010). TNF-α was positively correlated with LDL-C (P=0.005). Fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the elevated IL-6 group were higher than those in the normal IL-6 group (all for P <0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the elevated IL-6 group was lower than that in the normal IL-6 group (P<0.001). IL-6 was positively correlated with FINS, 2-hour postprandial insulin, HOMA-IR and triglyceride (all for P <0.01), while was negatively correlated with HDL-C (P=0.006). Moreover, hs-CRP was positively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR (all for P <0.05). Conclusion: There may be correlations between serum TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP levels and GLMD in obese children and adolescents. Attention should be paid to monitoring serum inflammatory factors and preventing their elevation in obese children and adolescents, thus reducing the occurrence of GLMD.

Uric acid is associated with adiposity factors, especially with fat mass reduction during weight loss in obese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Current adult studies suggest that uric acid (UA) is associated with body fat, but the relationship in obese children is unclear. Thus, we aim to evaluate the association between uric acid and body composition of obese children. METHODS: A total of 79 obese children were included in this study, and 52 children (34 boys and 18 girls) underwent a 6-week weight loss camp, including 34 boys and 18 girls. Six-week weight-loss interventions were performed on all participants through aerobic exercise and appropriate dietary control. Laboratory tests and body composition were collected before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Before the intervention, correlation analysis demonstrated that uric acid was positively correlated with height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, fat mass (FM), and free fat mass (FFM) with adjusting for age and gender (P < 0.05). After 6 weeks of intervention, the participants gained 3.12 ± 0.85 cm in height, body fat percentage decreased by 7.23 ± 1.97%, and lost 10.30 ± 2.83 kg in weight. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that uric acid at baseline was associated with FM reduction during weight loss (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report that uric acid is associated with BMI and FM, and may play an important role in the reduction of FM during weight loss in obese children and adolescents. The interaction between UA and adiposity factors and its underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov (NCT03490448) and approved by the Ethics Committee of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

Relation between serum osteocalcin levels and body composition in obese children.

Overweight and obesity may contribute to bone fractures in children; however, the mechanism involved is not clear. In this study, we assessed the relation between serum osteocalcin levels and body composition in obese children. A total of 79 children (ages 7-12 years) were recruited. Serum osteocalcin levels were negatively correlated with fat percentage and visceral fat area (r = -0.24 and r = -0.46, respectively, P < 0.05); however, no statistically significant association was found between obesity degree and serum osteocalcin levels (r = -0.29, P = 0.052). Serum osteocalcin levels were positively correlated with lean body mass, fat-free mass, and fat-free mass index (r = 0.24, 0.23, and 0.31, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, serum osteocalcin levels were significantly lower in severely obese (44.46 ±â€Š9.73 µg/mL) and moderately obese (48.72 ±â€Š10.82 µg/mL) children than in mildly obese (55.43 ±â€Š12.4 µg/mL) and overweight (54.36 ±â€Š11.96 µg/mL) children (P = 0.02). These findings indicate that body composition is related to serum osteocalcin levels in overweight and obese children.