Fat cell size, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation in obese children.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between adiposity indexes (body mass index [BMI], fat mass, adipocyte size) and circulating inflammation markers with known metabolic relevance or insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese children.


METHODS
Twenty-eight children (males/females: 13/15) with different degrees of overweight (BMI z-score: 1.64-3.1; fat mass: 14.1-49.8 kg) were studied. BMI, body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning), subcutaneous adipocyte diameter (needle biopsy of subcutaneous abdominal fat), blood tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 concentrations and insulin sensitivity (frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test) were assessed.


RESULTS
Adipocyte diameter, more than BMI and fat mass, was significantly associated with interleukin-6 (r = 0.62, P < .001) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (r = 0.61, P < .001). Moreover adipocyte size was associated with insulin sensitivity (R2 = 0.15, F = 4.69, P = .04) independently from fat mass.


CONCLUSIONS
Adipocyte size is a factor linked to both inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight/obese children. This is similar to the findings in adults and lends support to the tenet that the earlier obesity ensues, the more severe the biologic consequences may be.
Maffeis
Claudio
C
Department of Mother and Child, Biology-Genetics, Section of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. claudio.maffeis@univr.it
Silvagni
Davide
D
Bonadonna
Riccardo
R
Grezzani
Alessandra
A
Banzato
Claudia
C
Tatò
Luciano
L
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D048429:Cell Size; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha