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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #284521
Title: The effects of childhood obesity status on monocyte concentration and plasma chemokine concentration (ECRA)

Author
item BRESLIN, WHITNEY - University Of Houston
item JOHNSTON, CRAIG - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item STROHACKER, KELLEY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item CARPENTER, KATIE - University Of Houston
item DAVIDSON, THOMAS - University Of Houston
item MORENO, JENNETTE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item FOREYT, JOHN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MCFARLIN, BRIAN - University Of Houston

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2011
Publication Date: 7/30/2011
Citation: Breslin, W.L., Johnston, C.A., Strohacker, K., Carpenter, K.C., Davidson, T.A., Moreno, J., Foreyt, J.P., McFarlin, B.K. 2011. The effects of childhood obesity status on monocyte concentration and plasma chemokine concentration (ECRA) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the International Society of Exercise and Immunology. Symposium on Exercise and Immunity in Athletic Performance and Healthy Life, July 11-13, 2011, Oxford, United Kingdom. p. 56.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Overweight/obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic diseases, such as type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the prevalence of overweight in children has nearly tripled, especially among Mexican-American children. Childhood overweight greatly increases the risk for obesity and the associated chronic diseases in adulthood. Peripheral blood monocytes are altered with obesity and are purported to contribute to the systemic inflammation that appears to mediate the relationship between obesity and chronic disease. In addition, adult obesity alters the circulating levels of chemokines that influence monocyte behavior. Few published studies have examined monocyte-chemokine relationships in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in total blood monocyte and subset concentrations and plasma chemokine levels among normal weight (N=66) and overweight/at-risk for overweight (N=56) Mexican-American children. Blood samples were analyzed for total monocyte concentration, pro-inflammatory monocyte concentration, and classic monocyte concentration via flow cytometry. Plasma chemokines MCP-1, Fractalkine, IL-8, MIP-1', and MIP-1' were measured using a Luminex MagPix assay. Total, pro-inflammatory, and classic monocyte concentration were significantly elevated in overweight/at-risk for overweight children (P<0.05). In addition, circulating levels of MCP-1 (P=0.009) and Fractalkine (P=0.027) were significantly greater in overweight/at-risk for overweight children. Elevations in circulating monocytes, MCP-1, and Fractalkine have been implicated in the development of obesity-related chronic disease in adults. Childhood overweight alters monocytes and circulating chemokines in a similar manner as adult obesity, putting children at a greater risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases in adulthood. More research is needed to determine if the observed changes can be altered following a period of exercise and/or weight loss.