Abstract
Obesity represents a chronic inflammatory status and adipocytes release either cytokines or an array of adipokines such as leptin, endowed with immunomodulating and systemic activities. The involvement of cytokines in obesity as well as of the adipokine leptin is supported by the notion that weight reduction normalizes mediators of inflammation. In this framework, we will demonstrate that in obese children, subjected for a period of six months to a hypocaloric diet, reduction of major biochemical and anthropometric parameters correlates with a normalization of immune status. Infact, absolute numbers of CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio increase, while leptin values fluctuate within normal ranges, being this adipokine involved in the modulation of either innate or adaptive immune responses. In the discussion, the immune abnormalities detected in obesity will be pointed out and emphasis will be placed on the increased frequency of infectious episodes occurring in obese adolescent and adults. Finally, the infectious etiology of obesity will be illustrated in the sense that adipocytes interacting with infectious agents may cause obesity. Taken together, the bulk of available data indicate that childhood obesity should be prevented or reduced to avoid more serious complications in adulthood.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, adipokines, cytokines, leptin, obesity
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Early Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis: The Childhood Obesity
Volume: 13 Issue: 36
Author(s): Luigi Amati, Marisa Chiloiro, Emilio Jirillo and Vito Covelli
Affiliation:
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, adipokines, cytokines, leptin, obesity
Abstract: Obesity represents a chronic inflammatory status and adipocytes release either cytokines or an array of adipokines such as leptin, endowed with immunomodulating and systemic activities. The involvement of cytokines in obesity as well as of the adipokine leptin is supported by the notion that weight reduction normalizes mediators of inflammation. In this framework, we will demonstrate that in obese children, subjected for a period of six months to a hypocaloric diet, reduction of major biochemical and anthropometric parameters correlates with a normalization of immune status. Infact, absolute numbers of CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio increase, while leptin values fluctuate within normal ranges, being this adipokine involved in the modulation of either innate or adaptive immune responses. In the discussion, the immune abnormalities detected in obesity will be pointed out and emphasis will be placed on the increased frequency of infectious episodes occurring in obese adolescent and adults. Finally, the infectious etiology of obesity will be illustrated in the sense that adipocytes interacting with infectious agents may cause obesity. Taken together, the bulk of available data indicate that childhood obesity should be prevented or reduced to avoid more serious complications in adulthood.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Amati Luigi, Chiloiro Marisa, Jirillo Emilio and Covelli Vito, Early Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis: The Childhood Obesity, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (36) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207783018563
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207783018563 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Patent Selections:
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Evaluation of Blood Pressure Control using a New Arterial Stiffness Parameter, Cardio-ankle Vascular Index (CAVI)
Current Hypertension Reviews Cathinone Neurotoxicity (“The “3Ms”)
Current Neuropharmacology A Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Medicinal as well as Poisonous Mushrooms
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Effect of Polyphenol Consumption on Blood Pressure
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Augmentation of Creatine in the Heart
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Cholesterol Oxidation Products and Disease: An Emerging Topic of Interest in Medicinal Chemistry
Current Medicinal Chemistry Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk: The Importance of a Global Approach to Risk Management in the Light of Current Hypertension Guidelines
Current Hypertension Reviews Anti-apoptotic Serpins as Therapeutics in Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Smart Drug-Delivery Systems for Cancer Nanotherapy
Current Drug Targets Effects of ACE-Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Medical Devices for Telemedicine and Home Care Applications
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Chagas Heart Disease Pathogenesis: One Mechanism or Many?
Current Molecular Medicine Rapid Non-genomic Vasodilator Actions of Oestrogens and Sex Steroids
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Ryanodine Receptor: A Pivotal Ca2+ Regulatory Protein and Potential Therapeutic Drug Target
Current Drug Targets Editorial (Thematic Issue: Novel Insights into the Role of Anesthetics and Opioids in Organ or Tissue Protection)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Impact of Fenofibrate on Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Features of the Metabolic Syndrome: Subgroup Analysis From FIELD
Current Cardiology Reviews Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among the Poor and Homeless – What We Know So Far
Current Cardiology Reviews Aortic Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation and Arterial Hypertension
Current Vascular Pharmacology Trends in Utilization of the Pharmacological Potential of Chalcones
Current Clinical Pharmacology