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Extrauterine growth and adipocytokines in appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants
1Department of Child Health and Welfare (Pediatrics), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Ryukyu University, Nishihara, Japan.
Insights
Extra-uterine growth restriction in preterm infants impacts adipocytokine levels, potentially increasing cardiometabolic disease risk. Adiponectin, but not leptin, correlated with body weight in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic health
Background:
- Extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants is linked to future cardiometabolic disease risk.
- Adipocytokines play a role in cardiometabolic disease development.
- This study investigates the link between EUGR and adipocytokine/hormone levels in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between extra-uterine growth and serum adipocytokine and metabolic hormone concentrations in preterm infants.
- To assess how these levels change during early postnatal development.
- To identify potential early markers for future cardiometabolic risk.
Main Methods:
- Serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, IL-6, TNF-α, C-peptide, GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon were measured.
- Measurements were taken in 38 appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants at birth, 33, and 38 weeks postmenstrual age.
- A Bio-Plex 200TM suspension array system was utilized for analysis.
Main Results:
- Adiponectin levels correlated with body weight throughout the study period; leptin levels did not.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations decreased from birth to 38 weeks.
- C-peptide, GIP, and glucagon levels showed transient increases from birth to 33 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Unique changes in leptin and adiponectin suggest potential white adipose tissue maldevelopment.
- This maldevelopment may influence future adipose tissue function and increase cardiometabolic disorder risk.
- Early monitoring of adipocytokines may aid in identifying high-risk preterm infants.
Background:
Extra-uterine growth retardation in preterm infants is associated with an increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases later in life. Adipocytokines are also associated with the development of cardiometabolic diseases. We examined the relationship between extra-uterine growth and serum concentrations of adipocytokines and metabolic hormones in preterm infants.
Methods:
Serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, IL-6, TNF-α, C-peptide, GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon were measured in 38 appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants at birth, and at 33 and 38 weeks of postmenstrual age using a Bio-Plex 200TM suspension array system.
Results:
Serum concentrations of leptin were not correlated with body weight at any time point. However, serum concentrations of adiponectin were correlated with body weight at all time points. Serum concentrations of IL-6 were decreased from birth to 33 and 38 weeks. Serum concentrations of TNF-α were not changed. Serum concentrations of C-peptide, GIP and glucagon increased from birth to 33 weeks, and decreased from 33 to 38 weeks. Serum concentrations of insulin and GLP-1 were not changed.
Conclusion:
Changes in serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin showed unique profiles, thereby suggesting maldevelopment of white adipose tissue. This may affect the future development of adipose tissue and lead to increased risk for cardio-metabolic disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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