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Vaspin is related to gender, puberty and deteriorating insulin sensitivity in children

A Körner1, M Neef, D Friebe

  • 1Department of Women and Child Health, University Hospital for Children & Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|September 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) levels differ by sex and age in children. Lower vaspin is linked to insulin resistance and cardiovascular issues, decreasing after glucose provocation in insulin-resistant adolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Adipokine Signaling

Background:

  • Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a novel adipocytokine implicated in adult obesity and insulin sensitivity.
  • Understanding vaspin's role in pediatric metabolic health is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify serum vaspin concentrations in lean and obese children.
  • To investigate the relationship between vaspin, physical development, obesity, and metabolic/cardiovascular phenotypes.
  • To assess the acute vaspin response to glucose provocation and tissue expression patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Serum vaspin levels were measured in 65 lean and 67 obese children.
  • Acute vaspin response to oral glucose tolerance test was assessed in 20 obese adolescents.
  • Vaspin mRNA expression was evaluated in human tissues.

Main Results:

  • Vaspin levels were higher in girls, increasing with age and puberty, unlike in boys.
  • Obese girls had lower vaspin than lean controls, but no BMI correlation.
  • Lower vaspin correlated with better insulin sensitivity, higher systolic blood pressure, and impaired endothelial function.
  • In insulin-resistant adolescents, vaspin levels decreased ~25% post-glucose provocation.
  • Vaspin mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and skin.

Conclusions:

  • Gender differences in vaspin emerge during female pubertal progression.
  • Vaspin elevation is associated with worsening insulin resistance in children, independent of obesity.
  • Acute vaspin down-regulation post-glucose challenge occurs in insulin-resistant adolescents.
  • Liver and pancreas expression may contribute to circulating vaspin levels.
Abstract

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