Interleukin-6 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein in obese adolescents

Background Childhood obesity is a major health concern. Obesity is due to an expansion of adipose tissue mass. This tissue produces pro􀁞inflarmnatory cytokines, such as interleukin􀁞6 (IL--6). IL􀁞6 is considered to be the chief stimulator of the production of highly sensitive C􀁞reactive protein (hsCRP) in the liver. Both molecules are responsible for the chronic low􀁞grade inflammatory state in obese individuals. Objective To assess a correlation between IL􀁞6 and hsCRP in obese adolescents. Methods This cross􀁞sectional study was conducted from March to June 2011 in Manado. Subjects were obese and normal body mass index (BMI) teens aged 13􀁞18 years. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SOOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SOPT) levels were measured to rule out liver impairment. IL􀁞6 and hsCRP levels were also measured. Data was analyzed by Pearson's correlation and linear regression to test for correlation between IL--6 and hsCRP levels. Results There was a strongly positive correlation between IL􀁞6 and hsCRP levels in obese adolescents (r=0.79 with P