Low-grade systemic inflammation and the risk of type 2 diabetes in obese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that low-grade systemic inflammation is closely involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum inflammatory markers and selected parameters known as risk factors of type 2 diabetes in obese children and adolescents.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fasting levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FB) interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta), glucose, insulin, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, white blood cell count (WBC) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR) were measured in 281 obese children and adolescents. Pearson's correlation was used for assessing the relationship between inflammatory markers and selected clinical parameters.

RESULTS: Inflammatory markers correlated significantly with insulin resistance indices, HbA1c, lipid profile, hypertension, positive family history of type 2 diabetes, low physical fitness, and mixed high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum inflammatory markers were significantly correlated with most factors implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes. These data provide additional support for previously reported in adults relationship between subclinical inflammation and the risk of type 2 diabetes.