Relationship between Insulin Resistance and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Children with Simple Obesity

Objective To explore the relationship of insulin resistance and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in children with simple obesity.Methods Fifty children with simple obesity(23 males and 27 females) and 30 cases of healthy children(14 males and 16 females) were collected from may 2003 to August 2005.The values of blood glucose,insulin,fasting triglyceride(TC) and TNF-α were measured in two groups.Results There were significantly higher homeostasis model assessmentes of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),TNF-α,diastolic blood pressure(DBP) in simple obesity group than those in control group(t=3.939,4.938,3.278 all P0.01).There were statistically higher systolic blood pressure(SBP),TC in simple obesity group than those in control group(t=2.536,2.573 all P(0.05)).There was statistically lower homeostasis model assessment insulin sensitivity index(HOMA-ISI) in simple obesity group than that in control group(t=-4.75 P0.01).There were statistically positive correlationes between TNF-α and BMI,TC,HOMA-IR(r=0.284,0.328,0.361 all P0.01),and negative correlattion with HOMA-ISI(r=-0.36 P0.01).There was also a positive correlation between BMI and HOMA-IR(r=0.294 P0.05).Conclusions There is insulin resistance in simple obese children.TNF-α concentration is positively correlated with insulin resistance and BMI,TC,blood pressure.The data suggest a possible role for TNF-α in pathophysiology of insulin resistance.