Changes in the serum metabolite profile in obese children with weight loss

Childhood obesity is an increasing problem and is accompanied by metabolic disturbances. Recently, we have identified 14 serum metabolites by a metabolomics approach (FIA-MS/MS), which showed altered concentrations in obese children as compared to normal-weight children. Obese children demonstrated higher concentrations of two acylcarnitines and lower levels of three amino acids, six acyl-alkyl phosphatidylcholines, and three lysophosphatidylcholines. The aim of this study was to analyze whether these alterations normalize in weight loss.

We analyzed the changes of these 14 metabolites by the same metabolic kit as in our previous study in serum samples of 80 obese children with substantial weight loss (BMI-SDS reduction >0.5) and in 80 obese children with stable weight status all participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention.

In the children without weight change, no significant changes of metabolite concentrations could be observed. In children with substantial weight loss, glutamine, methionine, the lysophosphatidylcholines LPCaC18:1, LPCaC18:2, and LPCa20:4, as well as the acyl-alkyl phosphatidylcholine PCaeC36:2 increased significantly, while the acylcarnitines C12:1 and C16:1, proline, PCaeC34:1, PCaeC34:2, PCaeC34:3, PCaeC36:3, and PCaeC38:2 did not change significantly.

The changes of glutamine, methionine, LPCaC18:1, LPCaC18:2, LPCa20:4, and PCaeC36:2 seem to be related to the changes of dieting or exercise habits in lifestyle intervention or to be a consequence of overweight since they normalized in weight loss. Further studies should substantiate our findings.