Abstract
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated
in overweight, male Chinese adolescents upon completing a 4-week diet and physical
exercise intervention. 43 recruited, non-randomized adolescents (body mass index >25 kg/m2) completed the controlled study. Anthropometric and biologic parameters were measured
pre- and post-intervention. After the 4-week intervention, participants exhibited
a significant decrease in body mass, body mass index, percentage body fat, basal heart
rate, diastolic blood pressure, and all body shape indices tested. A significant decrease
in serum lipids (except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and insulin levels was
observed post-intervention. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower
post-intervention. Bivariate correlation analyses showed that decrement in Δneutrophil
to lymphocyte ratio significantly correlated with decrement in Δinterleukin-6 and
Δwhite blood cell count. Thus, a 4-week diet and physical exercise intervention significantly
reduces the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in a population of overweight, male adolescents.
Weight loss caused by the intervention was associated with a significant decrease
of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Key words
obesity - NLR - IL-6 - leukocytes
