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Early Activation of Vascular Endothelial Cells and Platelets in Obese Children

Departments of Internal Medicine and Public Health (G.D., M.C.M., V.C., G.C., G.P., S.N., C.F.) and Experimental Medicine (M.D.S., T.R., M.L.I.), University of l’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; and Department of Pediatrics (L.I.), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Giovambattista Desideri, M.D., University of L’Aquila Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi n.1, 67100, Coppito, L’Aquila, Italy. E-mail: giovambattista.desideri{at}cc.univaq.it.

Obesity in adulthood is combined with vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation. In this study we evaluated whether or not such activation is already present in obese children. Forty obese (10.3 ± 2.5 yr) and 40 nonobese (10.3 ± 2.3 yr) children were studied. Circulating levels of soluble (s) intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, as indices of vascular endothelial cell activation, were assessed in both groups. Plasma concentrations of sP-selectin and sCD40 ligand, as indices of platelet activation, were also measured. Circulating levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the lipid peroxidation product 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG)F₂ were evaluated because of their ability to promote vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation. Circulating levels of all of the assessed markers were higher in obese than in nonobese children (sICAM-1, +38.8 ± 13.3%; sVCAM-1, +26.5 ± 13.7%; sE-selectin, +31.3 ± 17.3%; sP-selectin, +31.7 ± 16.9%; sCD40 ligand, +36.9 ± 22.1%; total 8-iso-PGF₂, +24.0 ± 20.2%; hs-CRP, +76.6 ± 12.9%; P < 0.0001). Significant correlations (P < 0.004) between plasma total 8-iso-PGF₂ levels and circulating sICAM-1 (r = 0.485), sVCAM-1 (r = 0.506), sP-selectin (r = 0.449), sCD40 ligand (r = 0.498), and hs-CRP (r = 0.520) concentrations were found in obese children. In conclusion, an early activation of vascular endothelial cells and platelets was present in obese children. Increased lipid peroxidation was also present in these children and likely contributed to the observed proinflammatory phenotype.

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