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Published on: January 7, 2016

Adiponectin levels in prepubertal children with Prader-Willi syndrome before and during growth hormone therapy

D A M Festen1, A van Toorenenbergen, H J Duivenvoorden

  • 1Dutch Growth Foundation, Westzeedijk 106, 3016 AH Rotterdam, The Netherlands. d.festen@erasmusmc.nl

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have higher adiponectin and body fat levels. Growth hormone (GH) treatment increased adiponectin, suggesting it may help manage metabolic health in PWS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated with obesity and abnormal body composition, including high body fat percentage, even in normal-weight children.
  • Adiponectin, a hormone, is known to have an inverse relationship with obesity and insulin resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Evaluate adiponectin levels, body composition, carbohydrate metabolism, and triglycerides in prepubertal children with PWS.
  • Examine the associations between adiponectin and these metabolic markers.
  • Assess the effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on these outcomes in PWS children.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving twenty prepubertal children diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome.
  • Participants were randomized into two groups: one receiving GH treatment (1 mg/m2.d) and a control group without GH treatment.
  • Fasting levels of adiponectin, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were measured at baseline and after 1 and 2 years. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Main Results:

  • PWS children exhibited significantly higher adiponectin levels compared to healthy controls.
  • A significant elevation in body fat percentage was observed in PWS children.
  • Adiponectin levels showed an inverse correlation with triglyceride levels and a tendency towards inverse relationships with body fat percentage and BMI, but not with glucose or insulin metabolism markers.
  • GH treatment led to a significant increase in adiponectin levels, while levels remained unchanged in the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Prepubertal children with PWS have elevated adiponectin levels, inversely associated with triglycerides, despite a high body fat percentage.
  • Growth hormone treatment further increased adiponectin levels in PWS children, offering reassurance regarding the development of insulin resistance.
  • These findings highlight the complex metabolic profile in PWS and the potential role of GH in modulating adiponectin and related metabolic parameters.
Abstract

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