Whole blood TNF-α expression and apoptotic endothelial microparticles reveal early vascular injury in pediatric obesity
Authors' conclusion
TNF-α gene expression in whole blood and elevated levels of apoptotic endothelial microparticles are closely associated with early endothelial microvascular dysfunction in pediatric obesity. The observed associations underscore the role of inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of obesity-related cardiovascular risk.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 6–11 years
- Participants
- 113 children
- Exposure
- Children with overweight/obesity vs healthy weight
- Overweight/obesityn = 31
- Healthy weightn = 82reference
- Outcome
- Endothelial function (RHI), apoptotic EMPs and whole blood cytokine expression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) vs BMI
- r = −0.485; P < 0.001
- RHI vs waist circumference
- r = −0.466; P < 0.001
- RHI vs SBP
- r = −0.317, P = 0.001
- RHI vs DBP
- r = −0.246; P = 0.009
- RHI vs LDL-C
- r = −0.191; P = 0.043
- Apoptotic endothelial microparticles (EMPs) elevated with overweight/obesity, positively associated with adiposity and BP; vs RHI
- r = −0.496; P < 0.001
- TNF-α vs BMI
- r = 0.468; P = 0.001
- TNF-α vs waist circumference
- r = 0.492; P < 0.001
- TNF-α vs SBP
- r = 0.294; P = 0.040
- TNF-α vs apoptotic EMPs
- r = 0.326; P = 0.022
- TNF-α vs RHI
- r = −0.543; P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Whole blood TNF-α expression and apoptotic endothelial microparticles reveal early vascular injury in pediatric obesity. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 18 November 2025. doi:10.
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