Normative data for adiponectin, resistin, interleukin 6, and leptin/receptor ratio in a healthy Spanish pediatric population: relationship with sex steroids.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the circulating levels of adiponectin, resistin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and leptin/receptor ratio in healthy Spanish children throughout the different stages of pubertal development. To analyze the relationship between adipokines and sex steroid level changes during puberty.


METHODS
Serum adiponectin, resistin, IL-6 levels, and leptin/receptor ratio were studied in 160 healthy Spanish children grouped according to their pubertal stage (Tanner I, 23 girls and 22 boys; Tanner II, 19 girls and 16 boys; Tanners III and IV, 21 girls and 20 boys; and Tanner V, 20 girls and 19 boys). In addition, circulating levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in every subject, and testosterone and estradiol levels in boys and girls respectively.


RESULTS
Adiponectin levels decreased in boys from mid puberty (P < 0.05) to become significantly lower than in girls (P < 0.001), whereas IL-6 decreased in both sexes (P < 0.05). Resistin levels and leptin/receptor ratio showed no differences between sexes or according to pubertal stage, except in adult females, who had the highest levels of both parameters (P < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with testosterone and estradiol levels (r=-0.37 and -0.42 respectively), whereas estradiol, but not testosterone, correlated with leptin/receptor ratio (r=0.59; P < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive relationship was found between SHBG and adiponectin and IL-6 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively). In addition, a direct correlation between leptin/receptor and body mass index was found in both sexes (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Variations in adipokine profiles throughout pubertal development appear to be related with progression of gonadal function.
Martos-Moreno
Gabriel A
GA
Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo, 65, E-28009 Madrid, Spain.
Barrios
Vicente
V
Argente
Jesús
J
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D012016:Reference Values; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D052242:Adiponectin; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D015850:Interleukin-6; C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D052243:Resistin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin