title: Childhood obesity: immune response and nutritional approaches.
abstract: Childhood obesity is characterized by a low-grade inflammation status depending on the multicellular release of cytokines, adipokines, and reactive oxygen species. In particular, the imbalance between anti-inflammatory T regulatory cells and inflammatory T helper 17 cells seems to sustain such a phlogistic condition. Alterations of gut microbiota since childhood also contribute to the maintenance of inflammation. Therefore, besides preventive measures and caloric restrictions, dietary intake of natural products endowed with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities may represent a valid interventional approach for preventing and/or attenuating the pathological consequences of obesity. In this regard, the use of prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and melatonin in human clinical trials will be described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Thea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magrone
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
keywords: atherosclerosis; children; diabetes; immunity; microbiota; nutrition; obesity; oxidative stress