| Abstract |
Obesity is an emerging nutritional problem associated with low level chronic inflammation and deregulated immunity. Adipocytes that increase in number and size under obese condition are responsible for the production of an array of cytokines (adipokines) that trigger the inflammatory response and modify circulating immune cell numbers. Weight loss has a direct effect upon inflammation and can be achieved through personalized nutrition that is based on each person’s characteristics. 34 obese volunteers (BMI= 34.45±1.08 kg/m2) undergoing a weight loss program [personalized intervention group following a genotype- based diet (7.30±5.5% weight loss, n=4), conventional diet group following conventional low- calorie diet (8.76±3.82% weight loss, n=7)] and 15 lean volunteers (BMI= 22.64±0.52 kg/m2) were recruited. PBMCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and leukocyte subpopulations were assessed before and after a 3-month intervention by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired Mann- Whitney t- test (two- tailed) (differences in cell absolute counts and percentages between obese and lean participants) and two- way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (differences in PBMCs subtypes levels between genotype-based and conventional diet following the 3- month intervention). Our data demonstrate that obesity is associated with a significant increase in circulating PBMCs and memory T cells confirming the proinflammatory status of obese individuals. Moreover, a trend towards an increase in total leukocytes, neutrophils, CD3+ cells, B lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, naïve and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) T cells, CD45RO+CXCR3+ T cells, T regulatory cells, as well as non- classical, intermediate and CD14lowCD16+ monocytes was reported in obese participants. Conversely, a trend towards a reduction in basophils, eosinophils, classical monocytes, lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ and CD45RA+CXCR3+ T cells was reported in the obese group. Furthermore, the genotype- based type of intervention induced a statistical significant reduction in naïve T cells and a statistical significant increase in TEMRA cells indicating that weight loss is in line with a more differentiated status of CD4+ T cells. Thus, further studies are needed in order to confirm this trend in the intermediate stages, i.e. central and effector memory T cells.
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Evaluation of the nutritional effect on the immune profile in obese individuals
