Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity has been suggested to be well correlated with altered levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship of body fat mass (BFM), body fat percentage (BFP) and leptin levels with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cytokines among obese and overweight adults. Methods: Eighty-two overweight and obese individuals were divided into two BMI-category groups (BMI <30 and BMI �30 kg/m2) in this study. Balanced blocked randomization was used based on their sex and BMI ranges. Fasting blood samples, PBMCs cytokines, leptin and anthropometric indices were measured and PBMCs were cultured. Results: Mean of leptin concentrations were 23.14 ± 4.07 and 28.25 ± 4.35 pg/ml among individuals with BMI <30 and BMI �30 kg/m2, respectively. The mean values of anthropometric measurements (all P < 0.001), the concentrations of TNF-α (P = 0.028) and IFN-γ (P = 0.029) were significantly higher among obese individuals. BFP had a significant positive correlation with leptin (P < 0.001, r = 0.445) and TGF-β (P = 0.03, r = 0.243). BFM has significant positive correlation with leptin (P < 0.001, r = 0.521). Leptin had a positive significant correlation with IFN-γ (p = 0.03, r = 0.251). Conclusions: Regarding these results, we proved that BFP, BFM and leptin levels have significant correlations with some PBMC cytokines. Focusing on such strategies may lead to promises for alleviating obesity and its co-morbidities. © 2016, Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.