Changes in Inflammatory Markers in Estonian Pubertal Boys with Different BMI Values and Increments: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective: Serum inflammatory markers could help to identify those boys with overweight (OWB) who gain weight more extensively during puberty. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal changes in different serum inflammatory markers through puberty in boys with different BMI values and increments. Methods: Twenty-six OWB and 29 normal-weight boys (NWB) were followed yearly for 3 years to measure changes in BMI and serum concentrations of 12 inflammatory markers. Results: OWB had higher (P < 0.033) baseline interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-1 alpha concentrations in comparison with NWB. Over the 3-year period, IFN-gamma (P = 0.0001) and TNF-alpha (P =0042) decreased more in OWB compared to NWB. Serum IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and leptin increased further in those OWB who gained BMI more extensively through puberty compared to OWB who gained weight at slower rates (P <0.033). Conclusions: Serum IFN- gamma and TNF- alpha levels decreased more during pubertal years in OWB compared to NWB, indicating that pubertal maturation itself may have a favorable impact on the inflammation of obesity. Serum IL-8, MCP-1, and leptin could help to identify OWB who gain BMI more extensively during pubertal years.