Obesity and Cytokines in Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Author(s)

Sinicato, Nailu Angelica ; Postal, Mariana ; Peres, Fernando Augusto ; Pelicari, Karina de Oliveira ; Marini, Roberto ; dos Santos, Allan de Oliveira ; Ramos, Celso Dario ; Appenzeller, Simone

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH; v. 2014, p. 6-pg., 2014-01-01.

Abstract

Background. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), atherosclerosis is attributed to traditional and lupus related risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and inflammation. Objective. To evaluate the association between obesity, measures of body fat content, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL)-6 and -10 levels in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). Methods. We screened consecutive cSLE patients followed up in the Pediatric Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Campinas. cSLE patients were assessed for disease and damage. Obesity was definite as body mass index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m(2). Serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine total fat mass, lean mass, and percent of body fat. Results. We included 52 cSLE patients and 52 controls. cSLE patients had higher serum TNF-alpha (P = 0.004), IL-6 (P = 0.002), and IL-10 (P < 0.001) levels compared to controls. We observed higher serum TNF-alpha (P = 0.036) levels in cSLE patients with obesity. An association between serum TNF-alpha levels and body fat percent (P = 0.046) and total fat mass on trunk region (P = 0.035) was observed. Conclusion. Serum TNF-alpha levels were associated with obesity and body fat content in cSLE. Our finding suggests that obesity may contribute to the increase of serum TNF-alpha levels in cSLE. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/02917-0 - Blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers associated with structural and functional central nervous system abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Simone Appenzeller
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/03788-2 - Longitudinal evaluation of interleukins 4, 6, 10 and 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha and laboratory and clinical associations in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Mariana Postal Zink de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/13637-9 - Metabolic syndrome and body composition in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Nailú Angélica Sinicato Martin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master