Objectives: Childhood obesity contributes to the development of adult obesity and
subsequent atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Associations between early
morphologic and functional vascular changes as Endothelial Dysfunction, and Sub
clinical vascular inflammatory soluble markers are in need for intensive assessment
especially in obese childhood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship
of morphological vascular status (Carotid Artery intima-media thickness [IMT]) and
functional vascular changes as plasma endothelial markers (von Willebrand factor
[vWf], soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell
adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)), sP-selectin (sE-selectin), and high sensitive C
Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) concentrations in obese children, compared with controls.
Patients and methods: 35 obese children included 15 males and 20 females, and
twenty five healthy lean children of matched age and sex were included in this study
as a control. All underwent assessment of morphological vascular status by measuring
Carotid Artery intima-media thickness [IMT]) and analysis of plasma endothelial
markers (vWf, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sP-selectin, hs-CRP concentrations and Eselectin).
Results: Our results showed that in comparison with controls, obese
children demonstrated significantly increased IMT, We demonstrated that,
concentrations of soluble E-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sP-selectin and hs-CRP
concentrations were significantly elevated in obese children, whereas vWf showed no
significant differences between obese children and controls. Conclusions: The
present study documented that subclinical inflammation associated with obesity
increase the risk of early atherosclerosis in these children. Sonographic assessment of
vascular status and the estimation of soluble endothelial plasma markers, may form a
rationale to identify high-risk children susceptible to early atherosclerotic disease and
to monitor vascular changes during follow-up studies and therapeutic measures.