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Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations of Sex and Race with Inflammatory Biomarkers during Adolescence

  • Empirical Research
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Abstract

Chronic, systemic inflammation is implicated in physical and mental health; little is known about whether sex and racial differences detected in adulthood are observed during adolescence or about normative changes occurring during adolescence. This longitudinal, United States-based study examined four biomarkers of systemic inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-8) in 315 adolescents (51% female; 58% black; baseline age = 16.49 years (SD = 1.56; range: 12.14–21.28)] at three timepoints. Notable results included: general decline in inflammatory biomarkers in older adolescents, lower levels of TNF-α/IL-8 in black adolescents, elevated CRP/IL-6 in females, and especially higher levels of IL-6 in black, female adolescents. Implications are discussed, particularly the potential health implications of elevated IL-6 in black females.

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Authors’ Contributions

N.M.G. conceived of the manuscript hypotheses, wrote an initial draft of the manuscript and conducted data analysis; L.B.A. conceived of the overall study design and was awarded funding to collect data and provided substantive feedback at each stage of the conception, writing, and editing of the manuscript; D.S. played a central role in collecting data; C.L.C. assayed all biological specimens collected and provided substantive input in writing and revising this manuscript; L.M.E. provided critical input in the conception of these specific analyses and in revising this manuscript; both D.P.M. and A.C.S. contributed to data analysis and interpretation; L.Y.A. collaborated with L.B.A. in the conception of the overall study design and the funding application in addition to providing substantive feedback at each stage of the conception, writing, and editing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH079369 and MH101168 to L.A., National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH118545 and MH096478 to L.E., and National Institute of Mental Health National Research Service Award F31MH118808 as well as an American Psychological Foundation Visionary Grant to N.M.G. D.P.M. was supported by National Research Service Award F31MH122116.

Data Sharing and Declaration

Datasets created and analyzed during the current study are not publically available, but may be made available by Dr. Lauren B. Alloy (lalloy@temple.edu) upon reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Naoise Mac Giollabhui, Lauren B. Alloy, Lauren M. Ellman, Daniel P. Moriarity & Allison C. Stumper

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Dominika Swistun, Christopher L. Coe & Lyn Y. Abramson

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  1. Naoise Mac Giollabhui
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Correspondence to Naoise Mac Giollabhui.

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The Temple University Institutional Review Board approved the protocol (IRB protocol #6844) and the study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

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Mac Giollabhui, N., Alloy, L.B., Swistun, D. et al. Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations of Sex and Race with Inflammatory Biomarkers during Adolescence. J Youth Adolescence 50, 711–723 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01369-w

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