Association between adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels and childhood obesity in Korean children.
Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a newly recognized adipokine that plays a role in the development of obesity and insulin resistance in adults. We investigated the association between A-FABP levels and obesity and insulin resistance in school-aged children. One hundred sixty-one 9-year-old Korean children (80 boys and 81 girls) voluntarily participated in this study at school-based health examinations. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and A-FABP levels were measured; and insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment. Subjects with higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles had correspondingly higher concentrations of A-FABP in both boys and girls. Subjects within the highest quartile of A-FABP levels had correspondingly poor metabolic risk profiles (BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) compared with those in the lowest A-FABP quartile (P < .01). Serum A-FABP concentrations were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.58, P < .01) and waist circumference (r = 0.51, P < .01). However, the significant correlation between serum A-FABP and insulin resistance faded after adjustment for BMI. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein was closely associated with obesity or abdominal obesity in children; however, the independent relationship between A-FABP and insulin resistance in children is still unclear and remains to be determined.
Yun
Kyung Eun
KE
Department of Family Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, South Korea.
Kim
Seon Mee
SM
Choi
Kyung Mook
KM
Park
Hye Soon
HS
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055105:Waist Circumference
C493410:FABP4 protein, human; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids