Circulating levels of interleukin-1 family cytokines in overweight adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity and related diseases are dramatically increasing problems, particularly in children and adolescents. We determined circulating levels of different interleukin (IL)-1 family members in normal weight and overweight adolescents.


METHODS
Seventy male, Caucasian adolescents (13-17 years) were recruited. Thirty-five had a body-mass index (BMI) above the 90th age-specific percentile. IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and IL-18 were determined using multiplex-technology.


RESULTS
IL-18 concentrations were higher in the overweight group compared to normal weight (161.6 +/- 40.7 pg/ml versus 134.7 +/- 43.4 pg/ml, P = .009). Concentrations of circulating IL-1beta levels were below the detection threshold. IL-18 (R2:0.355, P < .01) and IL-1ra (R2:0.287, P < .05) correlated with BMI, whereas IL-1alpha did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Accumulating data indicate the importance of the endocrine function of adipose tissue for the pathophysiological consequences of obesity-related co-morbidities. Since IL-18 is involved in the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases, we conclude that IL-18 may represent a link between obesity and related co-morbidities in children and adolescents.
Jung
Christian
C
Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747 Jena, Germany. christian.jung@med.uni-jena.de
Gerdes
Norbert
N
Fritzenwanger
Michael
M
Figulla
Hans Reiner
HR
D000293:Adolescent; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood*
D016207:Cytokines; D019040:E-Selectin; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha