Role of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and inflammatory mediators in childhood obesity

Abstract

Objective and design: The role of NO and adipocytokines in childhood obesity was studied, supposing that obesity provokes inflammation. Children were admitted to the pediatric clinic for a regular check up because of obesity.

Subjects: Obese (n = 79) and healthy (n = 12) children were selected and divided into subgroups according to their age, gender, glucose tolerance and nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) positivity.

Methods: Urine and blood nitrite plus nitrate, the expression of NOS II in white blood cells, serum adipocytokines and clinical characteristics were analyzed in each group. Significance was tested by unpaired two-tailed t test and by ANOVA.

Results: NOS II was only detected in the white blood cells of a subgroup (17/79) of obese children. Serum leptin and resistin concentrations were significantly higher, adiponectin was lower compared to healthy children. Significant correlations were observed between serum adiponectin and resistin levels (reciprocal, R (2) = 0.4), and between body mass index and serum leptin levels.

Conclusions: NOS II expression in white blood cells was observed in a minority of patients. Low-grade inflammation in obese children was suggested by the increased resistin levels, particularly in NOS II-positive patients. Correlation between different adipocytokines was restricted for a few subgroups.