title: Fetuin-A levels in obesity: differences in relation to metabolic syndrome and correlation with clinical and laboratory variables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fetuin-A is an important player in the enhancement of insulin resistance. There are very limited data available concerning the relationships between fetuin-A, weight status and features of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) in obese Egyptian subjects, and especially in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate fetuin-A serum level in subjects with obesity and its possible association with other laboratory and clinical variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 140 obese subjects and 50 controls aged 10-40 years were recruited. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical features were collected according to a standard protocol. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured using ELISA and the modified Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III) criteria were adopted to diagnose Met S.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher level of serum fetuin-A was detected in obese subjects. Met S cases were also significantly associated with higher serum fetuin-A. Fetuin-A correlated significantly with BMI (r = 0.437), systolic (r = 0.228) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.295), waist circumference (r = 0.332), insulin resistance calculated by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.295) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.362).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetuin-A levels were higher in adults and children with obesity and Met S. They were related to insulin resistance and to features of the Met S in cross-sectional analyses. Our study demonstrates a novel association between human fetuin-A and the Met S among obese subject. Therefore, fetuin-A might be a new promising link between obesity and its comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nagwa Abdallah
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Shadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ragab
authors.forename: Soha M Abd
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: El Dayem
authors.forename: Abeer Abd
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elbaky
authors.forename: Nehal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salah
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamed
authors.forename: Heba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Assal
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koura