Lymphocyte subtype dysregulation in a group of children with simple obesity

Abstract

Lymphocyte subtype dysregulation in a group of children with simple obesity Original article Background: Obesity as a global public health problem is increasing in prevalence. Reports showed that obese children are more liable to infection than lean ones; it was claimed that obese subjects have altered peripheral blood total lymphocyte counts in addition to reduced lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogen stimulation as well as dysregulated cytokine expression. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of childhood obesity on cell mediated immunity as indicated by peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping. Methods: We enrolled 30 school-aged children (mean age 10±3.27 years). They comprised two groups; 20 obese children with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 39.2± 12.5 and 10 matched control subjects with mean BMI of 18.4± 1.9. They were subjected to detailed anthropometric evaluation including weight, height, and waist hip ratio in addition to calculation of BMI, complete blood counting, and flow cytometric assessment of T-helper (CD4), T-cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8), and natural killer (CD56) cell counts. Results: The absolute lymphocyte (CD3) and natural killer cell (CD56) counts were comparable in both groups. However, the CD4%, CD8%, CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly lower in the obese children (p=0.02, 0.03, 0.015 respectively). A significant negative correlation could be elicited between the CD4 count and bodyweight, BMI, and hip waist ratio (p = 0.00); the same was observed for CD4/CD8 ratio (p = 0.00). On the contrary, CD8 correlated positively to the bodyweight, BMI, and waist hip ratio (p = 0.00 for each). Conclusion: Obesity has an impact on lymphocytic subset counts and further studies are needed to assess its effect on their function.

Leptin, Adiponectin, and Melatonin Modulate Colostrum Lymphocytes in Mothers with Obesity

“…However, evidence shows an increase in the number of TCD4+ lymphocytes that can be found in the intrauterine environment during pregnancy. Furthermore, it is known that there is a reduction in the proliferative response of lymphocytes relative to mitogenic stimulation in obese individuals [9,10]. This fact, possibly combined with changes in lymphocyte counts and the dysregulated expression of cytokines, is associated with obese children having a higher rate of infection than thin children [10].…”

“…In obese individuals, changes in the leukocyte population can be observed, emphasizing differences in the percentage of lymphocyte subtypes [9,10]. In addition, reductions in 2 of 14 lymphocyte levels are also observed in the intrauterine environment in obese women, with reductions also being observed in CD4+ T lymphocytes, which are essential for modulating inflammatory responses and for maintaining a healthy pregnancy [1,11].…”

Melatonin Action on the Activity of Phagocytes from the Colostrum of Obese Women

“…The beneficial effects of this interaction are particularly important in enhancing the immune response of obese individuals because they are more susceptible to infections. The mechanisms underlying this response are not fully understood, but earlier studies suggest an association between adipose tissue metabolism and the activity of immune system components [14,15,16].…”

O efeito da obesidade pré-gestacional sobre a proliferação de linfócitos do colostro humano e mecanismos intracelulares de modulação linfocitária na presença de adiponectina, leptina e melatonina

“…Ainda que há lacunas e na literatura científica acerca as repercussões da obesidade materna nos linfócitos do colostro humano, há evidências de que um aumento na concentração de linfócitos TCD4+ podem ser encontrados no ambiente intrauterino durante o período de gestação. Ademais, sabe-se que há uma redução na resposta proliferativa de linfócitos à estimulação mitogênica em indivíduos obesos (NIEMAN, 1999;ELSAYED et al, 2017).…”

“…Desta forma, quando associado com as alterações na contagem de linfócitos e com a expressão desregulada de citocinas, está relacionado ao fato de as crianças obesas apresentarem uma taxa de infecção mais alta do que crianças que possuem um IMC saudável (ELSAYED et al, 2017). Portanto, é essencial modular as respostas anti-inflamatórias e favorecer a tolerância imunológica para prevenir que o sistema imunológico materno rejeite o feto até o parto, uma vez que em mulheres obesas, é encontrada uma redução nessa população de células (LI et al, 2021;POLESE et al, 2014).…”