Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Differentiated Mouse Adipocytes in Primary Culture: A Model of Insulin Resistance
09:48

Differentiated Mouse Adipocytes in Primary Culture: A Model of Insulin Resistance

Published on: February 17, 2023

Serum glucocorticoids and adiponectin associate with insulin resistance in children born small for gestational age

S Tenhola1, B Todorova, J Jääskeläinen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.

European Journal of Endocrinology
|December 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) with higher glucocorticoid activity show increased risk for insulin resistance (IR). Lower serum adiponectin also independently predicts IR in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Altered glucocorticoid activity is a potential link between fetal growth restriction and later metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes.
  • Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk for developing IR later in life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serum glucocorticoid parameters and IR in children born SGA.
  • To determine if markers of glucocorticoid activity are associated with IR in SGA children.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 110 children (55 born SGA and 55 appropriate for gestational age, matched for age and gender).
  • Serum cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), free cortisol index (FCI), and glucocorticoid bioactivity (GBA) were measured.
  • Insulin resistance was assessed using homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) and QUICKI, alongside measurements of adiponectin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1).

Main Results:

  • While overall glucocorticoid parameters did not differ between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) groups, SGA children had lower BMI and waist circumference.
  • Glucocorticoid bioactivity (GBA) was significantly higher in the highest quartile among SGA subjects compared to AGA subjects.
  • In SGA children, GBA positively correlated with HOMA-IR and inversely with adiponectin. Higher GBA, lower adiponectin, and lower IGFBP1 independently predicted higher HOMA-IR.

Conclusions:

  • Increased glucocorticoid activity is associated with insulin resistance in children born small for gestational age.
  • Low serum adiponectin concentrations are also independently linked to insulin resistance in SGA children.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue10:28

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Published on: July 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood glucose levels...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...