Fasting and postprandial markers of inflammation in lean and overweight children.
BACKGROUND
Overweight children have greater circulating concentrations of markers of inflammation (MOI) than do lean children. Whether adiposity influences the postprandial MOI response is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the relations of fasting and postprandial MOI with total and regional adiposity and insulin sensitivity in children.


METHODS
Fifty-nine children aged 7-12 y were assessed for C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (sTNF-R2) in the fasted state and after a mixed meal. Insulin sensitivity, body composition, and abdominal adipose tissue distribution were assessed with a frequently sampled intravenous-glucose-tolerance test, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and computed tomography, respectively.


RESULTS
Central adipose measures were not independently associated with fasting MOI, although they were independently inversely associated with the postprandial sTNF-R2 response (r = -0.30 to -0.37, P = 0.02-0.006). The inverse association between intraabdominal adipose tissue and the postprandial CRP response was nearly significant (r = -0.27, P = 0.05). Insulin sensitivity was not associated with fasting or postprandial CRP or sTNF-R2; however, there was a positive relation between insulin sensitivity and fasting IL-6 (r = 0.27, P = 0.03), which was attenuated after adjustment for lean body mass (r = 0.25, P = 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Excess adiposity is associated with both fasting and postprandial MOI. The postprandial MOI response may be influenced by central adiposity in children. The positive association of insulin sensitivity with IL-6 warrants further study.
Alvarez
Jessica A
JA
Department of Nutrition Sciences, General Clinical Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA. jalvar2@uab.edu
Higgins
Paul B
PB
Oster
Robert A
RA
Fernandez
José R
JR
Darnell
Betty E
BE
Gower
Barbara A
BA
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000097:blood*; D013851:Thinness / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007328:Insulin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D002097:C-Reactive Protein