Resistin as Modulator of Functional Activity of Phagocytes in Colostrum and Blood of Overweight and Obese Mothers

TL;DR

Resistin, a hormone linked to obesity, affects immune cell activity in blood and breast milk of mothers, regardless of their weight status.

Contribution

This study reveals resistin's role in modulating phagocyte function in overweight and obese mothers.

Findings

Resistin increases superoxide release in phagocytes from blood and colostrum.

Resistin-treated phagocytes show higher phagocytosis rates across all maternal weight groups.

Colostrum from obese mothers has lower resistin levels and reduced microbicidal activity.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Resistin is an adipokine involved in obesity pathogenesis, but its effects on blood and colostrum immune cells from obese mothers remain unclear. This study evaluated the functional activity of phagocytes modulated by resistin in blood and colostrum from overweight and obese mothers. Methods: An observational study was conducted with 82 postpartum women divided according to pregestational BMI into control, overweight, and obese groups. Blood and colostrum samples were collected to determine resistin levels and assess the functional activity of mononuclear (MN) cells. Results: Plasma resistin levels were higher in overweight mothers, whereas colostrum levels were lower in obese mothers. Resistin treatment enhanced superoxide release in both colostrum and blood phagocytes, independent of maternal weight status. In the presence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), resistin-treated phagocytes from both colostrum and maternal blood showed increased superoxide production. In blood cells from overweight mothers, resistin reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, while in colostrum, the highest SOD levels were observed in cultures of resistin-treated cells from mothers with altered weight, regardless of weight status. Blood and colostrum cells treated with resistin increased phagocytosis rates. In colostrum, resistin-treated cells from eutrophic mothers showed high microbicidal indices, whereas cells from mothers with altered weight showed reduced microbicidal indices. In colostrum cells, adipokine levels were reduced in the obesity group. Conclusions: Resistin modulates oxidative metabolism and the functional activity of blood and colostrum phagocytes across all maternal weight statuses, suggesting a possible role for resistin in the maternal immune response associated with obesity.

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