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13:13
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Plasma xenin concentrations in children.
Beata Mrózek1, Przemysław J Tomasik, Andrzej Wędrychowicz
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Polish-American Children's Institute, College of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Xenin, a satiety peptide, is lower in obese children and its levels change during treatment in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This suggests xenin plays a role in regulating children's energy balance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Xenin is a newly identified human peptide, recognized as a satiety marker due to its increased plasma levels post-meal.
- Current research on xenin's mechanism and role, particularly in pediatric populations, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma xenin concentrations in children experiencing energy balance disorders.
- To compare xenin levels in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obesity against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunological assay was employed to measure plasma xenin levels.
- Participants included children with IBD (n=53), obese children (n=26), and healthy controls (n=10).
- Xenin levels were assessed in IBD patients before, during, and after treatment, and in obese children during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT).
Main Results:
- Healthy children exhibited a mean plasma xenin concentration of 371±36 pg/ml.
- Children with IBD showed mean xenin levels of 367±96 pg/ml, increasing to 399±55 pg/ml during treatment and peaking at 412±55 pg/ml in remission.
- Obese children had significantly lower mean xenin levels (198±69 pg/ml) compared to both IBD patients and healthy controls (p<0.001). Glucose load did not affect xenin levels in obese children.
Conclusions:
- Xenin is implicated in the regulation of energy balance in pediatric populations.
- Observed differences in xenin levels in IBD and obese children suggest its role in metabolic and inflammatory conditions affecting energy homeostasis.
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