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Interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-6 receptor/interleukin-6 complex and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents

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Abstract

Background/aim

To study the characteristics of interleukin 6 (IL6), soluble form of interleukin 6 receptor (sILR)/IL6 complex in obese children and adolescents and its relationship with insulin resistance (IR).

Subjects and methods

66 obese children and adolescents [34 boys, mean age 10.3 ± 2.9 years, z-score of body mass index (BMI) 4.76 ± 1.36] and 24 non-obese healthy sex- and age-matched controls. Fasting levels of glucose, insulin, IL6, sIL6, sgp130 were measured. IR was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR).

Results

Obese subjects showed increased levels of insulin and IL-6 and higher HOMA-IR compared to controls (117.67 ± 50.9 vs. 62.42 ± 29.4 pmol/L, 2.73 ± 0.98 vs. 1.07 ± 0.41 pg/ml and 4.03 ± 2.16 vs. 1.83 ± 1.05 for insulin, IL-6 and HOMA-IR, respectively, p < 0.01 in all cases). sIL-6R levels were significantly lower in obese subjects (34.7 ± 14.2 vs. 55.6 ± 15.2 ng/ml in controls, p = 0.005), whereas sgp130 levels were not significantly different. In obese subjects, IL-6 directly correlated with z-score BMI (r = 0.481, p = 0.009) and with waist-to-height ratio (r = 0.494, p = 0.007), while sIL6-R was inversely related to HOMA-IR (r = −0.522, p = 0.002). Insulin resistant subjects showed higher levels of IL6 and lower levels of sIL6R (3.31 ± 0.72 vs. 2.25 ± 0.64 pg/ml, p = 0.020 and 25.3 ± 9.3 vs. 42.5 ± 10.4 ng/ml, p = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusions

In obese children and adolescents, IR is associated with elevated levels of IL-6 and diminished values of sIL-6R.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

HOMA-IR:

Homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance

IR:

Insulin resistance

IL-6:

Interleukin 6

IL-6R:

Interleukin 6 receptor

sIL-6R:

Soluble form of interleukin 6 receptor

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant of University of Foggia (Italy).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Gaetano Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy

    G. De Filippo

  2. Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service d’Endocrinologie et Diabétologie Pédiatrique, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

    G. De Filippo

  3. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    D. Rendina

  4. Biochemistry Unit, Gaetano Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy

    F. Moccia & V. Rocco

  5. Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

    A. Campanozzi

  6. Service d’Endocrinologie et Diabétologie Pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bicêtre, 78, rue du Général Leclerc, 94275, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

    G. De Filippo

Authors
  1. G. De Filippo
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  2. D. Rendina
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  3. F. Moccia
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  4. V. Rocco
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  5. A. Campanozzi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. De Filippo.

Additional information

G. De Filippo and D. Rendina contributed equally.

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De Filippo, G., Rendina, D., Moccia, F. et al. Interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-6 receptor/interleukin-6 complex and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents. J Endocrinol Invest 38, 339–343 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0176-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0176-4

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