Serum and gene expression levels of CT-1, IL-6, and TNF-α after a lifestyle intervention in obese children

Background: Inflammation related molecules such as tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are highly expressed in obese individuals and could partly explain some comorbidities associated to obesity. In obese children, lifestyle interventions are able to lower inflammation and reduce cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity. The aim of the present work was to study changes in inflammation-related molecules serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) transcript levels after a 10-week lifestyle intervention in obese children and asses their potential association with glucose metabolism. Methods: Twenty-three obese children (mean age 11.5 years; 48% males) underwent a 10-week lifestyle not controlled intervention trial. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were analyzed. Transcript analysis for CT-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in PBMC were performed by RT-PCR. Serum cytokine levels were also measured at baseline and after 10-weeks. Results: Participants achieved a significant reduction in body adiposity (0.34 decrease in body mass index-standard deviation), total cholesterol, and glucose levels after 10-weeks. A Significant decrease in serum TNF-alpha and C reactive protein (CRP) were observed. CT-1 transcript levels were significantly reduced (P = .005) after lifestyle intervention, and these changes were significantly correlated with changes in serum CT-1 levels (r = 0.451; P = .031). In multiple regression analysis baseline CT-1 transcript levels were positively associated with final insulin (R-2 = 0.506; P = .035) and HOMA-IR values (R-2 = 0.473; P = .034). Conclusions: We reported that serum CRP, TNF-alpha, as well as PBMC CT-1 transcript levels were reduced after lifestyle intervention in obese children. More studies are needed to clarify the role of inflammation-related molecules in glucose metabolism.