ESPE Abstracts

Background: Obesity is characterised by excessive fat accumulation coursing with a chronic mild inflammatory state, with adipose tissue (AT) being the main site of increased systemic cytokine production. Increased adiposity early in life is the main risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders later in life, with the abnormal accumulation of lipids in AT leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory process that involves metabolic and cardiovascular diseases has been reported in children and adolescents tracking into adulthood.

Objective: To evaluate the association between TNF-α, IP-10, IL-6, IL-15, IL-8, IL-1ra, leptin or adiponectin with adiposity in prepubertal children.

Methods: 3459 children between 2 and 9 years old participated in the IDEFICS study. The relationship between fat (BMI, skinfolds thickness (SF) as marker of subcutaneous fat and waist circumference (WC) as a surrogate marker of abdominal adiposity and plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-15, IL-8, IL-1ra, leptin or adiponectin was studied. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, center and ISCED level was applied.

Results: Leptin levels were associated with z-BMI (B= 5.749 95%CI 5.481, 6.017), sum of z-SF (B= 5.671 95%CI 5.406, 5.936) and z-WC (B= 5.689 95%CI 5.416, 5.961). Adiponectin levels were associated with z-BMI (B= 2.941 95%CI 2.533, 3.350), z-SF (B= 2.948 95%CI 2.530, 3.336) and z-WC (B= 2.935 95%CI 3.335). TNF levels were associated with z-BMI (B= 0.865 95%CI 0.733, 0.997), z-SF (B=0.864 95%CI 0.729, 0.999) and z.WC (B= 0.869 95%CI 0.743, 1.004). IP-10 levels were associated with BMI (B= 5.423 95%CI 5.190, 5.657), SF (B= 5.426 95%CI 5.192, 5.660) and z-WC (B= 5.689 95%CI 5.416, 5.961). IL-8 correlated with z-BMI (B= 1.082 95%CI 0.886, 1.276), z-SF (B=1.082 95%CI 0.882, 1.281) and z-WC (B= 1.077 95%CI 0.877, 1.277). IL-6 correlated with z-BMI (B= -1.346 95%CI -1.642, -1.050), z-SF (B=-1.357 95%CI -1.660, -1.054) and z-WC (B= -1.327 95%CI -1.629, -1.024). IL_1ra levels were associated with z-BMI (B= 6.849 95%CI 6.628, 7.071), z-SF (B=6.831 95%CI 6.606, 7.057) and z-WC (B= 6.872 95%CI 6.646, 7.098).

Discussion: Detection of inflammation associated with changes in body composition from the early stages of life could be key in order to prevent further degree of overweight or obesity and its comorbidities. This helps to better understand the mechanisms involved in the aetiology of obesity as well as to establish primary prevention interventions and identify potential targets against this pathology.