IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2022i1p602-d1019419.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of Physical Exercise on Obesity in a Cohort of Southern Italian Obese Children: Improvement in Cardiovascular Risk and Immune System Biomarkers

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Mennitti

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Annaluisa Ranieri

    (Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ersilia Nigro

    (Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy
    Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Lorella Tripodi

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Mariarita Brancaccio

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Jacopo Ulisse

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Luca Gentile

    (Integrated Department of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Fabio Fimiani

    (Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, A.O.R.N. Dei Colli “V. Monaldi”, Via Leonardo Bianchi, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Arturo Cesaro

    (Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Division of Clinical Cardiology, A.O.R.N. “Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano”, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Giovanni D’Alicandro

    (Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Center of Sports Medicine and Disability, AORN, Santobono-Pausillipon, 80122 Naples, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Limongelli

    (Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Respiratory Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Aurora Daniele

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Raffaela Pero

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy)

  • Giulia Frisso

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Paolo Calabrò

    (Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Division of Clinical Cardiology, A.O.R.N. “Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano”, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Lucio Pastore

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Rosaria Licenziati

    (Obesity and Endocrine Disease Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, 80129 Naples, Italy)

  • Olga Scudiero

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy
    Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy)

  • Barbara Lombardo

    (Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
    Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate S. C. a R. L., 80131 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity (CO) is a serious medical condition affecting approximately 120 million children and adolescents worldwide. It is characterized by a persistent inflammatory state with inflammatory markers overexpressed, which in turn leads to a higher cardiovascular risk. It is well known that physical exercise reduces the inflammatory state in obese children. In the present study, we evaluated various biochemical parameters in obese children performing physical exercise compared to a group of obese sedentary children. Hence, the objective is to identify a panel of biomarkers to prevent numerous obesity-related complications. Methods: We examined two populations: 44 sedentary obese children (OSe), recruited on 5 November 2018 from Santobono–Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples (Italy) of age = 11 ± 3.3 and 30 obese children who practice sport (OSp) of age = 10 ± 2.5. We observed a significant variation in some biochemical parameters such as white blood cells, C-reactive protein (CRP), glycemia and insulinemia. Moreover, we determined the levels of interleukins, chemokines and defensins by ELISA assay. Results: Our results showed a reduction in serum level of glycemia ( p -value < 0.001), neutrophils ( p -value < 0.05) and CRP ( p -value < 0.05), whereas no relevant variations have been reported in insulin levels. Moreover, we found a decrease in serum levels of PDGF-β ( p -value < 0.05), IL-9 ( p -value < 0.01), IL-6 ( p -value < 0.0001), IL-8 ( p -value < 0.0001), IP-10 ( p -value < 0.01), Eotaxin ( p -value < 0.0001) and GM-CSF ( p -value < 0.01) in OSp population in comparison to OSe. At the same time, we did not observe any significant variation in serum levels of IL-1ra and IL-17 between the two populations. On the other hand, we found an increase in HNP-1 ( p -value < 0.0001) and HBD1 ( p -value < 0.01) in OSp if compared to OSe. Conclusions: This study shed light on the role of physical exercise on CO, demonstrating in our population that an early evaluation of some biochemical parameters could be an assumption to prescribe physical exercise in order to monitor and prevent childhood obesity and related disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Mennitti & Annaluisa Ranieri & Ersilia Nigro & Lorella Tripodi & Mariarita Brancaccio & Jacopo Ulisse & Luca Gentile & Fabio Fimiani & Arturo Cesaro & Giovanni D’Alicandro & Giuseppe Limongel, 2022. "The Impact of Physical Exercise on Obesity in a Cohort of Southern Italian Obese Children: Improvement in Cardiovascular Risk and Immune System Biomarkers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:602-:d:1019419
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/602/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/602/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Valeria Calcaterra & Matteo Vandoni & Virginia Rossi & Clarissa Berardo & Roberta Grazi & Erika Cordaro & Valeria Tranfaglia & Vittoria Carnevale Pellino & Cristina Cereda & Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, 2022. "Use of Physical Activity and Exercise to Reduce Inflammation in Children and Adolescents with Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Mariarita Brancaccio & Cristina Mennitti & Arturo Cesaro & Fabio Fimiani & Elisabetta Moscarella & Martina Caiazza & Felice Gragnano & Annaluisa Ranieri & Giovanni D’Alicandro & Nadia Tinto & Cristina, 2020. "Dietary Thiols: A Potential Supporting Strategy against Oxidative Stress in Heart Failure and Muscular Damage during Sports Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Paola Gonzalo-Encabo & Gonzalo Maldonado & David Valadés & Carmen Ferragut & Alberto Pérez-López, 2021. "The Role of Exercise Training on Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-17, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Michaela Kozakova & Carlo Palombo, 2021. "Vascular Ageing and Aerobic Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Dario Iafusco & Angela Zanfardino & Alessia Piscopo & Stefano Curto & Alda Troncone & Antonietta Chianese & Assunta Serena Rollato & Veronica Testa & Fernanda Iafusco & Giovanna Maione & Alessandro Pe, 2022. "Metabolic Treatment of Wolfram Syndrome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Ayrton Moraes Ramos & Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo & Rodrigo Gomes de Souza Vale & Lucio Marques Vieira-Souza & Bruno de Freitas Camilo & Estélio Henrique Martin-Dantas, 2022. "Resistance Circuit Training or Walking Training: Which Program Improves Muscle Strength and Functional Autonomy More in Older Women?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-11, July.
    4. Mariarita Brancaccio & Cristina Mennitti & Arturo Cesaro & Fabio Fimiani & Martina Vano & Biagio Gargiulo & Martina Caiazza & Federica Amodio & Iolanda Coto & Giovanni D’Alicandro & Cristina Mazzaccar, 2022. "The Biological Role of Vitamins in Athletes’ Muscle, Heart and Microbiota," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Sang-Dol Kim & Young-Ran Yeun, 2022. "Effects of Resistance Training on C-Reactive Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines in Elderly Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.
    6. Olga Scudiero & Barbara Lombardo & Mariarita Brancaccio & Cristina Mennitti & Arturo Cesaro & Fabio Fimiani & Luca Gentile & Elisabetta Moscarella & Federica Amodio & Annaluisa Ranieri & Felice Gragna, 2021. "Exercise, Immune System, Nutrition, Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases during COVID-19: A Complex Combination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, January.
    7. Mariarita Brancaccio & Cristina Mennitti & Alessandro Gentile & Luca Correale & Cosme Franklim Buzzachera & Cinzia Ferraris & Cristina Montomoli & Giulia Frisso & Paola Borrelli & Olga Scudiero, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Job Activity, Dietary Behaviours and Physical Activity Habits of University Population of Naples, Federico II-Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:602-:d:1019419. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.