Interleukin-6 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein in obese adolescents

• Main Authors: Michael Kasenda, Suryadi Tantura, Sarah Warouw
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indonesian Pediatric Society Publishing House 2012-08-01
• Series: Paediatrica Indonesiana
• Subjects: interleukin-6; hsCRF; obesity; adolescents
• Online Access: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/400
• ISSN: 0030-9311; 2338-476X

Background Childhood obesity is a major health concern. Obesity is due to an expansion of adipose tissue mass. This tissue produces pro􀁞inflarmnatory cytokines, such as interleukin􀁞6 (IL--6). IL􀁞6 is considered to be the chief stimulator of the production of highly sensitive C􀁞reactive protein (hsCRP) in the liver. Both molecules are responsible for the chronic low􀁞grade inflammatory state in obese individuals. Objective To assess a correlation between IL􀁞6 and hsCRP in obese adolescents. Methods This cross􀁞sectional study was conducted from March to June 2011 in Manado. Subjects were obese and normal body mass index (BMI) teens aged 13􀁞18 years. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SOOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SOPT) levels were measured to rule out liver impairment. IL􀁞6 and hsCRP levels were also measured. Data was analyzed by Pearson's correlation and linear regression to test for correlation between IL--6 and hsCRP levels. Results There was a strongly positive correlation between IL􀁞6 and hsCRP levels in obese adolescents (r=0.79 with P<O.OOl). IL--6 and hsCRP levels were not significantly associated in subjects with normal BMI. Conclusions There was a strongly positive correlation between IL--6 and hsCRP levels in obese adolescents, suggestive of an ongoing, chronic, low􀁞grade inflammatory state. [Paediatr Indanes.2012;52:219-22].