Pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, oxidative stress, insulin, Zn and Cu: Interrelations with obesity in Egyptian non-diabetic obese children and adolescents

Purpose: To investigate the inter-relationships between adipocytokines, oxidative stress, insulin, Zn and
Cu and obesity among Egyptian obese non-diabetic children and adolescents.
Patients and methods: 72 obese children and adolescents of both sexes (5–17 years) were recruited for
the study. 40 healthy normal non-obese persons of matched ages and sexes were used as control group.
Lipid profile, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leptin levels were measured.
Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations and superoxide dismutase
(SOD) activity were estimated. Micronutrients (Zn and Cu) concentrations in addition to insulin and
fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were also evaluated. Estimation of insulin resistance (homeostatic model
assessment (HOMA-IR)) was derived from FBS measurements.
Results: Significant elevations (P < 0.001) in TNF-a, IL-6, leptin, MDA, Cu and FBS levels and significant
decreases (P < 0.001) in GSH, Zn levels and SOD activity were detected among obese individuals as
compared with control group. Insulin and triglyceride levels were significantly increased in obese male
children and HDL-cholesterol level was increased significantly in obese adolescent females compared to
controls. However, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly high in all obese cases
as compared with controls. Insulin resistance was detected in 100% of the patients.
Conclusions: We concluded that obesity with pro-inflammatory adipocytokines and hypozincemia
together by many mechanisms participate in excessive oxidative stress and are highly associated with
inflammation and the development of obesity-related complications. Obesity represents a critical risk
factor for development of insulin resistance status.