Influence of skinfold sum and peak VO(2) on immune function in children.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the relationship of skinfold sum and peak VO(2) power with immune function in children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, with all children tested twice during a 2 month period for peak VO(2), sum of two skinfolds, and immune function, with data from the two measures averaged and then correlated (alpha level, < or = 0.01). Immune measures included leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts, delayed-typed hypersensitivity (DTH), global IgG antibody response over 4 weeks to pneumococcal vaccination (pIgG), salivary IgA concentration (sIgA), PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (PHA-SLP), natural killer cell activity (NKCA), and granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity.


METHODS
Seventy-three children (n=42 males, n=31 females) ranging in age from 7 to 13 y (mean+/-s.d. age, 9.9+/-1.7 y). The mean skinfold sum was 28.9+/-17.1 mm, and peak VO(2) 45.8+/-8.1 ml/kg/min.


RESULTS
Peak VO(2), skinfold sum, and immune measures did not differ significantly by age or gender. Therefore, correlations were made on combined indices for all subjects. Peak VO(2) and the skinfold sum were not significantly correlated with NKCA, oxidative burst activity, plgG or DTH. Peak VO(2) was negatively correlated with monocyte phagocytosis (r=-0.30, P=0.012) and positively correlated with PHA-SLP (6.25 microg/ml; r=0.35, P=0.004). The skinfold sum was positively correlated with the total leukocyte count (r=0.39, P<0.001), granulocyte count (r=0.36, P=0.002), monocyte count (r=0.38, P=0.001), monocyte phagocytosis (r=0.41, P<0.001), granulocyte phagocytosis (r=0.35, P=0.003), and sIgA (r=0.32, P=0.006), and negatively correlated with PHA-SLP (6.25 microg/ml; r=-0.39, P=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Data from this study indicate that a high skinfold sum is related to elevated leukocyte subset counts and monocyte/granulocyte phagocytosis, and low PHA-SLP in children.
Nieman
D C
DC
Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA. niemandc@appstate.edu
Henson
D A
DA
Fagoaga
O R
OR
Nehlsen-Cannarella
S L
SL
Sonnenfeld
G
G
Utter
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007109:Immunity; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines