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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
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Decreased plasma apelin levels in pubertal obese children

Serkan Tapan1, Emre Tascilar, Ayhan Abaci

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. serkantapan7@yahoo.com

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|December 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Obese children have lower plasma apelin levels compared to nonobese children. Pubertal status significantly influences these apelin levels in pediatric obesity, highlighting its role in metabolic health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Apelin peptide is implicated in obesity-related disorders.
  • Plasma apelin levels in obese children have not been previously reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma apelin levels in obese children.
  • To compare apelin and adiponectin levels between obese and nonobese children.
  • To evaluate the impact of pubertal status on these levels.

Main Methods:

  • Measured plasma apelin, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
  • Included 32 obese and 40 nonobese children.
  • Assessed the influence of pubertal status on measured biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly lower plasma apelin, adiponectin, and HDL cholesterol.
  • Obese children showed higher hs-CRP, triglycerides, insulin, and HOMA-IR.
  • Apelin level differences were significant only during the pubertal period.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma apelin levels are reduced in childhood obesity.
  • Pubertal status is a critical determinant of plasma apelin levels in children.
Abstract

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