Early activation of vascular endothelial cells and platelets in obese children.
Obesity in adulthood is combined with vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation. In this study we evaluated whether or not such activation is already present in obese children. Forty obese (10.3 +/- 2.5 yr) and 40 nonobese (10.3 +/- 2.3 yr) children were studied. Circulating levels of soluble (s) intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, as indices of vascular endothelial cell activation, were assessed in both groups. Plasma concentrations of sP-selectin and sCD40 ligand, as indices of platelet activation, were also measured. Circulating levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the lipid peroxidation product 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) were evaluated because of their ability to promote vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation. Circulating levels of all of the assessed markers were higher in obese than in nonobese children (sICAM-1, +38.8 +/- 13.3%; sVCAM-1, +26.5 +/- 13.7%; sE-selectin, +31.3 +/- 17.3%; sP-selectin, +31.7 +/- 16.9%; sCD40 ligand, +36.9 +/- 22.1%; total 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), +24.0 +/- 20.2%; hs-CRP, +76.6 +/- 12.9%; P < 0.0001). Significant correlations (P < 0.004) between plasma total 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) levels and circulating sICAM-1 (r = 0.485), sVCAM-1 (r = 0.506), sP-selectin (r = 0.449), sCD40 ligand (r = 0.498), and hs-CRP (r = 0.520) concentrations were found in obese children. In conclusion, an early activation of vascular endothelial cells and platelets was present in obese children. Increased lipid peroxidation was also present in these children and likely contributed to the observed proinflammatory phenotype.
Desideri
Giovambattista
G
University of L'Aquila, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi n.1, 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy. giovambattista.desideri@cc.univaq.it
De Simone
Michele
M
Iughetti
Lorenzo
L
Rosato
Teresa
T
Iezzi
Maria Laura
ML
Marinucci
Maria Contina
MC
Cofini
Vincenza
V
Croce
Giuseppe
G
Passacquale
Gabriella
G
Necozione
Stefano
S
Ferri
Claudio
C
D019540:Area Under Curve; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002648:Child; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D019040:E-Selectin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1