title: Increased GLP-1 response to oral glucose in pre-pubertal obese children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related complications. However, few data are available in youth. The objective of this study was to investigate the GLP-1 response to oral glucose load in obese pre-pubertal children and its relationship with insulin secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten pre-pubertal obese children [five boys; 10.5±1.6 years; body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS): 2.2±0.5] and 10 controls (eight boys; 9.9±1.2 years; BMI-SDS: -0.7±0.5) underwent a modified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to evaluate post-load glucose, insulin and GLP-1 responses. Insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI)] and secretion [HOMA-beta, insulinogenic index (IGI)] indexes, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, insulin and GLP-1 were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In obese children GLP-1 AUC values were higher and correlated with BMI-SDS (r=0.45; p=0.04), HOMA-IR (r=0.53; p=0.01) and fasting glucose (r=0.68; p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese children showed an increased GLP-1 response to oral glucose. These changes might likely represent a compensatory mechanism to avoid post-prandial hyperglycemia and allow a normal glucose tolerance.
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pietropaoli
authors.forename: Nella
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Polidori
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
authors.forename: Maria Loredana
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marcovecchio
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohn
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D054795:Incretins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D054795:Incretins; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005947:Glucose