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Oxford University Press, Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, p. eow034

DOI: 10.1093/emph/eow034

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Energetics and the immune system: Trade-offs associated with non-acute levels of CRP in adolescent Gambian girls.

Journal article published in 2016 by Heather Shattuck-Heidorn, Mw Reiches, Am Prentice, Se Moore ORCID, Pt Ellison
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

The human immune system is an ever-changing composition of innumerable cells and proteins, continually ready to respond to pathogens or insults. The cost of maintaining this state of immunological readiness is rarely considered. In this paper we aim to discern a cost to non-acute immune function by investigating how low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) relate to other energetic demands and resources in adolescent Gambian girls. Data from a longitudinal study of 66 adolescent girls was used to test hypotheses around investment in immune function. Non-acute (under 2 mg/L) CRP was used as an index of immune function. Predictor variables include linear height velocity, adiposity, leptin, and measures of energy balance. Non-acute log CRP was positively associated with adiposity (β = 0.16, p