ESPE Abstracts

Background: Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is an important innate immune molecule and is previously found to be related to artery damage in some diseases as SLE rheumatoid arthritis and severe atherosclerosis. However, its role in artery change is still contradictory according to different studies. We found the carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) increased in obese children which indicated an early change of atherosclerosis.

Objective and hypotheses: To investigate association of CIMT with serum MBL and cell adhesion molecule levels in obese Chinese children and test the hypotheses that MBL play a role in early artery change of obese children.

Method: It is an observational and descriptive study which included 126 obese children age 10.5+2.8 years, ranged from 3.3 to 17.7 year, BMI >95th percentile for their age and sex, 41 females and 85 males), and 105 age- and sex-matched controls. CIMT was determined by means of ultrasonography as MBL, sICAM and sVCAM levels were assessed by ELISA Kit.

Results: MBL levels in obese children are significantly lower than that in controls and correlated negatively with right internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (R−0.24, P=0.019), which also correalted positively with blood sICAM, and sVCAM levels.

Conclusion: MBL may play a protective role in early change of artery in obese children and cell adhesion molecule may be involved in the process.