Evaluation of inflammatory markers in egyptian obese and nonobese adolescents

Background Obesity causes an inflammation state that is related to co-morbidities such as hypertension and insulin resistance. Though, the underlying inflammatory events in obesity are still obscure particularly in pediatric age group. Objective To identify the initial stage of inflammation linked to this nutritional disorder. Materials and methods A case control observational study involved 45 cases of overweight/obese adolescents and 44 healthy peers of matching age and sex. Serum levels of Interleukin-10, Interleukin-18, and C − reactive protein were estimated. Leukocytes, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes counts were determined, and Neutrophil/ Lymphocyte Ratio was calculated. Results and conclusion C − reactive protein, Neutrophils, and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio were significantly higher in overweight/ obese adolescents (P = 0.000, P = 0.015, and P = 0.034, respectively). Interleukin-10 was non-significantly lower whereas IL-18 was non-significantly higher in overweight/ obese adolescents (P = 0.334, and P = 0.427, respectively). Obesity is accompanied by a low inflammatory state that exists since childhood. Therefore, timely interventions should be adopted to preclude the deleterious consequences in grown up adults.