Abstract

GRENHA, Ana Inês; ALVES, Fernanda; RIBEIRO, Filipa  and  CAVACO, Tânia. Obesity and immunodepression: Facts and Figures. Arq Med [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.5, pp.192-202. ISSN 2183-2447.

BackgRound: Obesity has been associated with an impaired immune response to certain pathogens. The awakening for this subject has occurred three decades ago, having intensified in the last few years with the increase of worldwide incidence of obesity. studies have been trying to explain the molecular and cellular basis of the immunodepression mechanism in obesity. The aim of our review is to clarify this association in an attempt to optimize plans and therapeutic interventions. Results/discussion: Evidence of immunodepression associated with obesity was found: lower cytokine release, numeric and functional deficits of dendritic cells and NK (natural killer) cells, lower macrophage activation and lower proportion of T CD8+ cells. Obese are more susceptible to infections, mainly respiratory ones. In response to vaccination they present a lower proportion of memory T CD8+ cells and anti-antigen IgG (immunoglobulin G). The immunodepression in obese pregnant has an implication in the fetus’ immunological defense. There is evidence of an involvement of a leptin resistance on the basis of these alterations. Conclusions: Although there are studies that don’t verify any alteration of the immune response in obese, there are others that prove there is an immunodepression in response to viral respiratory infections; tetanus, hepatitis B and Influenza vaccination and in obese pregnant. Thus it is imperative to achieve more studies with internal and external validity which elucidate about the real association between obesity and the immune response.

Keywords : Obesity; Immunodepression; Immunity; Infections; Vaccination; Obese pregnant.

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