Alterations in systemic levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in overweight adolescents and obese mice

Jung, Christian; Lichtenauer, Michael; Strodthoff, Daniela; Winkels, Holger; Wernly, Bernhard; Buerger, Christina; Kamchybekov, Uran; Lutgens, Esther; Figulla, Hans-Reiner and Gerdes, Norbert (2017): Alterations in systemic levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in overweight adolescents and obese mice. In: Pediatric Diabetes, Vol. 18, No. 8: pp. 714-721

Abstract

BackgroundObesity represents a major problem for patients and health care systems in most industrialized countries. A chronic inflammatory state in obese individuals leads to disease conditions associated with activation of cellular immune mechanisms. Here, we sought to investigate the role of Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-related cytokines in overweight adolescents and mice on a high-fat diet. MethodsPlasma samples were obtained from 79 male adolescents aged 13-17 years. Thirty-seven of them had a body mass index (BMI) above the 90th age-specific percentile. Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines were measured using Bio-Plex multiplex technology (Bio-Rad, Hercules, USA). In an experimental approach, mice were fed with high-fat (HFD) or normal chow for 15 weeks. ResultsInterleukin (IL)-17 concentrations were significantly decreased in overweight adolescents compared to lean controls [99.8 7.3 pg/mL standard error of the mean (SEM) vs 146.6 +/- 11.5 pg/mL SEMP = .001]. Levels of IL-17 correlated significantly with anthropometrical parameters of obesity. A concordant response was found in mice consuming a HFD for 15 weeks compared to controls (861 +/- 165 pg/mL SEM vs 1575 +/- 187 pg/ml SEM, P = .0183). However, a biphasic response was evident for most Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines as levels initially increased within the first 5 weeks on HFD and showed a decline afterwards. Conclusions In contrast to previous studies showing elevated levels of IL-17 in obese adults, we found a decreasing trend in overweight adolescents. This difference could possibly be related to the fact that disease conditions associated with obesity such as hypertension, vascular pathologies, diabetes, and a triggering of the Th1/Th17 axis were not yet present in overweight teenagers.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1399-543X
• Language: English