High molecular weight, rather than total, adiponectin levels better reflect metabolic abnormalities associated with childhood obesity.
BACKGROUND
Japanese are prone to obesity-induced metabolic derangement, which is linked to serum adipocytokine profile even in children.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine whether high molecular-weight adiponectin (H-Adn) more specifically relates to metabolic derangement in obese children than total adiponectin (T-Adn).


METHODS
A case (n = 59) control (n = 28) study was performed at the pediatric clinic of a university hospital.


METHODS
Japanese obese children (38 boys and 21 girls) were consecutively enrolled. The ages ranged from 5 to 15 (10.3 +/- 0.3; mean +/- sem) yr. Nonobese children (15 boys and 13 girls) were assigned as age-matched controls.


METHODS
Serum adiponectin multimeric complexes were assayed by an ELISA kit. The relationship of adiponectin to metabolic abnormalities was evaluated.


RESULTS
T-Adn (5.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 8.8 +/- 0.4 microg/ml), H-Adn (1.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.8 +/- 0.4 microg/ml), and medium molecular weight-Adn were significantly lower in obese than in control children. After adjustment for age and sex, both T- and H-Adn were inversely correlated with insulin and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance, whereas H-Adn (but not T-Adn) inversely correlated with visceral fat area, as determined by computed tomography. Seven obese children were estimated to have metabolic syndrome and showed selective decrease in H-Adn and H/T-Adn.


CONCLUSIONS
H-Adn reflects metabolic abnormalities due to obesity better than T-Adn in children. H-Adn is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome, even in childhood.
Araki
Shunsuke
S
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Dobashi
Kazushige
K
Kubo
Kazuyasu
K
Asayama
Kohtaro
K
Shirahata
Akira
A
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019281:Dimerization; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
D052242:Adiponectin