Journal
CARDIOLOGY IN THE YOUNG
Volume 20, Issue 4, Pages 381-386Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1017/S1047951109990278
Keywords
Obesity; endothelial progenitor cells; physical fitness; youth; childhood
Categories
Funding
- Hans and Gertie Fischer-Stiftung
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Juvenile obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In adults, cardiovascular risk factors and obesity are associated with a decreased number of endothelial progenitor cells. Higher physical fitness correlates with a lower cardiovascular morbidity and increased endothelial progenitor cells. Methods: CD34 positive, KDR/CD34, CD133/CD34, and CD117/CD34 double positive progenitor cells were measured in 24 obese children and adolescents - 15 female; age: 12.5 plus or minus 2.1 years, body mass index standard deviation score: 2.5 plus or minus 0.5, waist: 88.6 plus or minus 15.0 centimetre, body fat: 24.6 plus or minus 2.2% - participating in the CHILT III programme. Percentage body fat was assessed by skinfold thickness. Peak of oxygen uptake and the respiratory quotient were determined by spiroergometry. Results: No gender differences were found. CD34 positive and CD117 positive/CD34 positive cells correlated with maximum relative watt performance, r is equal to 0.429 and 0.462; p-value less than 0.05. The peak of oxygen uptake correlated with CD34 positive and CD133 positive/CD34 positive cells, r is equal to 0.458 and 0.456; p-value less than 0.05, while no correlations were found between parameters of weight, body composition, and respiratory quotient with progenitor cells. Conclusions: A higher physical fitness, but not less body fat or body mass index is associated with a higher number of endothelial progenitor cells. These results support the hypothesis that physical fitness and cardiovascular risk in high-risk populations are inversely related. Further research is warranted to clarify the strength of this association and longitudinal effects of a comprehensive obesity programme.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available