Inflammatory Cytokine IFNγ, IL-6, and IL-10 Association with Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity carries a high risk of serious life-threatening cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood, which are associated with low-grade inflammation. The aim of the present study was to measure serum cytokine concentrations in obese children recruited during endocrinology consultations and compared to lean control the results. Blood serum concentrations of interferon gamma (IFNγ), IL-1β, Interleukin 6 IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were analysed applying Luminex xMap technology with Millipore reagent kits. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test comparisons and Spearman correlations. Obese children had highly significant increased levels of circulating IFNγ (p < 0.0001), IL-6 (p < 0.0001), and IL-10 (p < 0.0001), compared to lean controls. IL-1β and TNFα levels, however, were not elevated. Significant correlation of serum cytokines to per cent excess body mass was only observed with IL-6 (r_s = 0.21, p < 0.03), although IL-1β (r_s = 0.18, p < 0.08) results were suggestive of a trend. A significant association of obesity in childhood with serum concentrations of IFNγ, IL-6, and IL-10 is consistent with a role for low-grade inflammatory processes early in the aetiology of this disease. IL-6 further appears to be a candidate cytokine for assessment of degree of sub-acute inflammation associated with excess weight in the young.