Correlation between hyperghrelinemia and carotid artery intima-media thickness in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Su Jin Kim1, Kyung Hoon Paik, Dong-Ik Kim
1Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Irwon-dong, Gangman-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Insights
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) children have higher ghrelin levels but similar carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) to controls. Elevated ghrelin may impact atherosclerosis in PWS, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder causing obesity and endocrine issues, often leading to cardiovascular problems.
- Childhood-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunction are hallmarks of PWS, impacting long-term health.
- Cardiovascular disability is a significant concern in individuals with PWS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic risk factors in children with PWS.
- To assess subclinical atherosclerosis markers in PWS patients.
- To explore potential links between hormonal factors and cardiovascular health in PWS.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 27 children with PWS and 24 healthy controls.
- Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured as a marker of atherosclerosis.
- Correlations between IMT and various atherosclerotic risk factors, including ghrelin and BMI-SDS, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in IMT was observed between PWS children and control subjects (p = 0.172).
- PWS children exhibited significantly higher total ghrelin levels compared to controls (p = 0.003).
- Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between total ghrelin levels and IMT in the PWS group (p = 0.046), and between BMI-SDS and IMT in controls (p = 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Elevated ghrelin levels in PWS children, coupled with a positive correlation between ghrelin and IMT, suggest a potential role for ghrelin in PWS atherosclerosis.
- Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which elevated ghrelin influences atherosclerosis in Prader-Willi syndrome.
- These findings highlight the need for comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment in PWS patients.
Purpose:
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by childhood-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunction that leads to cardiovascular disability. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic risk factors.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-seven PWS children and 24 normal controls were enrolled. Correlations of IMT with atherosclerotic risk factors were assessed.
Results:
IMTs in the PWS group did not differ from those in the controls (p = 0.172), although total ghrelin levels were higher in the PWS children (p = 0.003). The multivariate analysis revealed positive correlations between total ghrelin levels ( = 0.489, p = 0.046) and IMT in the PWS group and between body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) ( = 0.697, p = 0.005) and IMT in the controls.
Conclusion:
Considering the positive correlation of IMT with total ghrelin levels and the high level of ghrelin in PWS children, a further study is warranted to evaluate the role of elevated ghrelin on atherosclerosis for PWS.
