Objectives: The prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence is continuing rising. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) participates in inflammatory and immune responses as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. The present study aimed to investigate MIF in overweight adolescents.
Methods: Seventy-nine male adolescents were enrolled. Thirty-eight were overweight according to the 90th%ile of the age-specific waist circumference. Various parameters were recorded at one visit, including body mass index. MIF was determined using multiplex immune-assay technology.
Results: Overweight adolescents had increased systolic blood pressure and CRP levels. Furthermore, increased circulating MIF concentrations were observed (Median: 964.6 pg/ml, Interquartile range: 590.3-2019.4 versus Median: 562.7 pg/ml, Interquartile range: 430.6-813.7, p = 0.003). Increased MIF concentrations were associated with increased markers of inflammation and obesity.
Conclusions: We demonstrated elevated MIF levels in obese adolescents. Taken together with other markers, this indicates the presence of low-grade inflammation in these young subjects, possibly representing a link between obesity and related co-morbidities.