Serum sterol profiling reveals increased cholesterol biosynthesis in childhood obesity.
Quantitative sterol profiling in obese children and their clinical implications have not been fully investigated. The aim of study was to evaluate the metabolic changes in serum cholesterol and its precursors and metabolites, and their associations with clinical characteristics of childhood obesity. A total of 253 children aged 6-14 years (72 obese, 39 overweight, and 72 normal controls; 147 girls and 106 boys) were recruited. Anthropometric indices, body composition, and fasting total lipid profiles were determined. Serum concentrations of 20 sterols, as their free fraction, were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling. There were no significant differences in total- and LDL-cholesterols between groups. Serum levels of the main cholesterol precursors, lanosterol (P<0.02) and lathosterol (P<0.0001), were significantly higher in obese children. In addition, they showed positive correlations with waist to hip ratio, body fat percent, and body fat mass. The metabolic ratios of lanosterol and lathosterol to cholesterol were also elevated (P<0.01 both), indicating the up-regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis with childhood obesity. In contrast, the absorption of plant sterols tended to show a compensatory decrease in obese children. Strong correlations between free cholesterol and total- and LDL-cholesterols were observed (r>0.760, P<0.001), while there was no correlation with HDL-cholesterols. The levels of total cholesteryl ester were closely associated with triglyceride (r=0.763, P<0.001). Quantitative results indicate that childhood obesity may increase cholesterol synthesis while maintaining overall cholesterol homeostasis.
Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-Hwa
HH
Son
Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul 139-707, Republic of Korea.
Shin Hye
SH
Kim
Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
Ju-Yeon
JY
Moon
Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
Bong Chul
BC
Chung
Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul 139-707, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: pmj@paik.ac.kr.
Mi Jung
MJ
Park
Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: mh_choi@kist.re.kr.
Man Ho
MH
Choi
D000293:Adolescent; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013261:Sterols / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D013261:Sterols; C001521:lathosterol; D002784:Cholesterol
Cholesterol; Homeostasis; Lathosterol; Obesity; Sterol profiling