Fasting and postprandial adiponectin alterations anticipate NEFA and TNF-α changes in prepubertal obese children.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that adipokine changes might precede changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acids and other obesity metabolic biomarkers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in fasting and postprandial plasma levels of adiponectin, non-esterified fatty acids, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in prepubertal obese children and age-matched normal-weight children.


RESULTS
Fifty-four children of prepubertal age (34 obese, comprising 23 males and 11 females, and 20 normal-weight comprising 11 males and 9 females) were studied. A standard 438 kcal breakfast was given to both groups. Baseline measurements included anthropometry and plasma lipids. The following parameters were determined in plasma before and after breakfast: glucose, insulin, and C-peptide at baseline and 2h and non-esterified fatty acids, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at baseline and 1, 2, and 3h. Fasting plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels were lower in the obese versus normal-weight children (P=0.021). Both at baseline and postprandially, plasma adiponectin levels were lower in the obese versus normal-weight children (P<0.001). A trend was observed (P=0.06) that levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were lower in the obese versus normal-weight children. Adiponectin was inversely associated with insulin in the obese children after adjustment for BMI and sex (r=-0.401, P=0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
At prepubertal age, obese children show lower fasting and postprandial plasma adiponectin levels in comparison to normal-weight children, whereas non-esterified fatty acids and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were not yet increased. Therefore, adiponectin appears to be a good marker of early metabolic alterations associated with childhood obesity.
Gil-Campos
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M
Unit of Pediatric Endocrinology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain. mercedes_gil_campos@yahoo.es
Ramírez Tortosa
M C
MC
Aguilera
C M
CM
Cañete
R
R
Gil
A
A
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha