Associations Between Serum TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP and GLMD in Obese Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Xuan Zhao,1,&ast; Yang Niu,1,&ast; Xue-Lin Zhao,1,&ast; Hui-Juan Ruan,1 Yi Xiang,1 Ling-Yu Wang,1 Yi Feng,1,2 Qing-Ya Tang1,2 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Digestion and Nutrition, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qing-Ya Tang; Yi Feng, Email tangqingya@xinhuamed.com.cn; fengyi@xinhuamed.com.cnPurpose: To explore the relationships between serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and glucolipid metabolism disorders (GLMD) in obese children and adolescents.Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 105 obese children and adolescents were selected for the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP, and glycolipid metabolism indicators. All participants were divided into elevated TNF-α group (≥ 8.1 pg/mL; n=49) and normal TNF-α group (< 8.1 pg/mL; n=56), elevated IL-6 group (≥ 5.9 pg/mL; n=13) and normal IL-6 group (< 5.9 pg/mL; n=92), elevated hs-CRP group (≥ 3.0 mg/L; n=44) and normal hs-CRP group (< 3.0 mg/L; n=61), respectively.Results: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the elevated TNF-α group was higher than that in the normal TNF-α group (P=0.010). TNF-α was positively correlated with LDL-C (P=0.005). Fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the elevated IL-6 group were higher than those in the normal IL-6 group (all for P < 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the elevated IL-6 group was lower than that in the normal IL-6 group (P< 0.001). IL-6 was positively correlated with FINS, 2-hour postprandial insulin, HOMA-IR and triglyceride (all for P < 0.01), while was negatively correlated with HDL-C (P=0.006). Moreover, hs-CRP was positively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR (all for P < 0.05).Conclusion: There may be correlations between serum TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP levels and GLMD in obese children and adolescents. Attention should be paid to monitoring serum inflammatory factors and preventing their elevation in obese children and adolescents, thus reducing the occurrence of GLMD.Keywords: tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, glucolipid metabolism disorders, obesity, children and adolescents