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Different relationship between anthropometric markers and umbilical cord plasma leptin in Asian and Caucasian
Louisa P K Yeung1, Alfred C K Wong, Xiaohui Wang
1Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC V6H 3V4, Canada.
Insights
Ethnic and gender disparities in newborn leptin regulation are evident at birth. These differences in leptin and anthropometric markers between Asian and Caucasian infants may influence long-term body composition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Human Physiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Leptin's role in regulating body weight and energy balance is established.
- Early-life leptin levels may influence long-term metabolic programming.
- Known ethnic differences in body composition suggest potential variations in hormonal regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ethnic and gender-specific differences in the relationship between umbilical cord leptin and anthropometric markers at birth.
- To explore potential early-life indicators of differing body composition between Asian and Caucasian neonates.
- To examine the association of leptin with steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, DHEAs, oestriol) in newborns.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 180 healthy, full-term Asian and Caucasian newborns.
- Measurement of birthweight, length, and various circumferences (arm, calf, abdomen).
- Assessment of skinfold thickness (scapular, triceps, quadriceps, abdominal).
- Quantification of leptin and steroid hormone concentrations in umbilical cord plasma.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in the regression slopes of leptin versus birthweight and calf circumference were observed between male Caucasian and Asian neonates.
- No significant ethnic differences were found in female neonates for these relationships.
- Gender significantly modulated the leptin-anthropometric relationships in Caucasian newborns but not in Asian newborns.
- No significant correlations were found between cord leptin or anthropometric markers and steroid hormone levels.
Conclusions:
- Ethnic and gender variations in the relationship between leptin and anthropometric measures are detectable at birth.
- These findings suggest potential differences in leptin regulation between Asian and Caucasian ethnic groups from birth.
- This may provide early clinical evidence for differing leptin feedback mechanisms influencing body composition later in life.
Abstract:
The leptin to fat ratio early in life could contribute to fixing the set point of leptin feedback at the hypothalamic level. Subjects from Asian and Caucasian ethnicities differ in body composition. We tested the hypothesis that anthropometric markers and their relationship to umbilical cord leptin, cortisol and cortisone, DHEAs and oestriol differed between Caucasians and Asians at birth. Birthweight, length, arm, calf and abdominal circumferences, scapular, triceps, quadriceps and abdominal skinfolds were measured in 180 healthy, full-term newborns of Asian and Caucasian ethnicities. Leptin and steroid hormone concentrations were determined in umbilical cord plasma. There was a significant difference in the slope of the regression between leptin and birthweight (p = 0.03) and calf circumference (p = 0.05) between male Caucasian and Asian neonates. In contrast, in female neonates, there was no significant difference (p = 0.099 and p = 0.07 for birthweight and calf circumference, respectively). In addition, while the slopes of the regression plots were not affected by gender in Asian newborns, there was a significant difference between male and female Caucasian newborns (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002 for birthweight and calf circumference, respectively). There was no significant correlation between cord leptin concentrations or anthropometric markers and steroid hormone concentrations. In conclusion, gender and ethnic differences in the relationship between leptin and anthropometric markers are detectable at birth between Asians and Caucasians, two ethnic groups that have been demonstrated to have different body compositions later in life. This may represent the first clinical evidence of a difference in leptin regulation between these two ethnic groups.