Immune phenotype and serum leptin in children with obesity-related liver disease.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about pathogenesis of obesity-related liver disease in childhood. Data on the relationship among leptin, immunological parameters, and liver disease in obese children are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate immune phenotype and leptin serum levels in obese children with and without obesity-related liver disease.


METHODS
The study was performed in two groups of consecutive obese children: the first formed by children with obesity-related liver disease, diagnosed in the presence of chronic hypertransaminasemia, liver steatosis at ultrasound, and absence of known etiologies; the second composed of children with isolated obesity. In all patients serum leptin, immunoglobulins, peripheral T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells were evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-three children in the first group and 16 children in the second were considered eligible. Serum leptin was increased in both groups but without any significant difference. No significant correlation was found between leptin and aminotransferases, lipid serum levels, and all tested lymphocyte subpopulations. Patients with obesity-related liver disease showed significantly higher peripheral NK and B cell counts and IgA levels than children with isolated obesity. Furthermore, no correlation was found between severity of liver disease and lymphocyte subpopulations.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, leptin did not correlate with hepatic steatosis, aminotransferases, and serum lipids. Children with obesity-related liver disease showed significantly higher peripheral NK and B cells and IgA levels. Additional studies are required to define the pathogenetic role of these immunological findings.
Iorio
Raffaele
R
Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy. riorio@unina.it
Sepe
Angela
A
Giannattasio
Antonietta
A
Cirillo
Francesco
F
Spagnuolo
Maria Immacolata
MI
Franzese
Adriana
A
Fontana
Silvia
S
Aufiero
Daniela
D
Perna
Francesco
F
Vegnente
Angela
A
Matarese
Giuseppe
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D020738:Leptin