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Plasma leptin, fatty acids, and tumor necrosis factor-receptor and insulin resistance in children

Nain-Feng Chu1, Jin-Biou Chang, Shih-Ming Shieh

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. chuepi@ndmctsgh.edu.tw

Obesity Research
|April 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Overweight children show higher insulin and leptin levels, indicating insulin resistance. Plasma leptin, not NEFA or TNFR1, significantly contributes to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Obesity and Metabolism

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern linked to metabolic disturbances.
  • Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in children.
  • Understanding the role of specific biomarkers like leptin, NEFA, and TNFR1 is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of plasma leptin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and tumor necrosis factor-receptor 1 (TNFR1) on insulin levels and insulin resistance in children.
  • To compare these markers between overweight and normal-weight children.
  • To identify key predictors of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in pediatric subjects.

Main Methods:

  • Radioimmunoassay, enzymatic spectrophotometric methods, and ELISA were used to measure plasma insulin, leptin, NEFA, and TNFR1 levels in 1032 children.
  • Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) for insulin resistance index (IRI) and a composite insulin-resistance syndrome score (IRS).
  • Multivariate regression analyses were employed to determine associations after adjusting for confounders like BMI.

Main Results:

  • Overweight children exhibited elevated blood pressure, plasma leptin, insulin levels, IRI, and IRS compared to normal-weight peers.
  • Plasma leptin and TNFR1 showed positive correlations with insulin levels, IRI, and IRS.
  • Plasma leptin levels were significantly associated with insulin levels, IRI, and IRS, independent of BMI and other confounders.

Conclusions:

  • Overweight status in children is associated with adverse metabolic profiles, including higher insulin and leptin levels and insulin resistance.
  • Plasma leptin appears to be a more significant factor in the development of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in children than NEFA or TNFR1.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of leptin in pediatric metabolic health and suggest potential targets for intervention.
Abstract

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