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Published on: January 7, 2018
Hyperhomocysteinemia correlates with insulin resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation in obese prepubertal
Rosario Martos1, Miguel Valle, Rosario Morales
1Health Center of Pozoblanco, 14400 Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain. rosariomartos96@yahoo.es
Insights
In obese children, homocysteine (Hcy) levels were not different overall, but higher in those with hyperinsulinemia. Insulin resistance and leptin predicted Hcy in obese and non-obese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) is linked to CVD in obese adults.
- The role of Hcy in obese children's CVD risk is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate total Hcy levels in obese prepubertal children.
- To assess the association of Hcy with metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, and leptin.
- To identify predictors of Hcy in obese children.
Main Methods:
- Study included 43 obese and 43 non-obese children (aged 6-9 years).
- Measurements included insulin, C-reactive protein, leptin, and Hcy.
- Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors.
Main Results:
- Obese children showed higher insulin, C-reactive protein, and leptin levels.
- No significant difference in Hcy between obese and non-obese groups.
- Hcy was significantly higher in hyperinsulinemic obese children.
- Insulin resistance and leptin independently predicted Hcy in both obese and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Hyperinsulinemia in obese children is associated with elevated Hcy.
- Insulin resistance and leptin are key predictors of Hcy in childhood obesity.
- Increased Hcy, especially in hyperinsulinemic obese children, may contribute to atherosclerosis and CVD risk.
Abstract:
Obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease frequently associated with hypertension, dyslipemia, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Higher homocysteine (Hcy) levels are observed in the hyperinsulinemic obese adults and suggest that Hcy could play a role in the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in obesity. We analyzed total Hcy levels in obese prepubertal children and their possible association with both metabolic syndrome and various inflammatory biomarkers and leptin. We studied 43 obese children (aged 6-9 years) and an equal number of nonobese children, paired by age and sex. The obese subjects presented significantly elevated values for insulin (P = .003), C-reactive protein (P = .033), and leptin (P < .001). No significant differences were found in Hcy levels between the obese and nonobese children. However, Hcy concentration was significantly higher in the hyperinsulinemic obese children than in the normoinsulinemic group (P = .002). Using multivariant regression analysis, in the obese group, corrected for age and sex, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (P partial = .001) and leptin (P partial = .02) are independent predictive factors for Hcy. In the control group, corrected for age and sex, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (P partial = .005) and leptin (P partial = .031) also are independent predictive factor for Hcy. Increased plasma Hcy, particularly in hyperinsulinemic obese children, may be causally involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and/or cardiovascular disease, both of which are common in obesity.
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