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Decreased Circulating Levels of Spexin in Obese Children

Seema Kumar1, Jobayer Hossain1, Nicole Nader1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (S.K., S.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Biostatistics Core (J.H.), Nemours Biomedical Research, Wilmington, Delaware 19803; Park Nicollet Health Services (N.N.), St Louis, Minnesota 55416; University of Illinois (R.A.), College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois 61603; and Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Division of Biomedical Research (P.B.B.), Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|May 25, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Spexin levels are lower in obese children, suggesting a role in childhood obesity. This novel peptide may help differentiate between normal-weight and obese children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Obesity Studies

Background:

  • Spexin is a novel peptide linked to energy homeostasis in adults and animals.
  • Its role in childhood obesity and related metabolic factors is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of Spexin in obese children.
  • To explore associations between Spexin levels and cardiometabolic risk factors in pediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 69 children (51 obese, 18 normal weight).
  • Spexin, leptin, adiponectin, IL-6, hs-CRP, glucose, and insulin were measured.
  • Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U test, correlations, logistic regression, and cluster analysis.

Main Results:

  • Obese children had significantly lower Spexin levels compared to normal-weight children (P = .024).
  • Spexin levels did not correlate with other measured adipokines, insulin, or glucose.
  • Cluster analysis accurately distinguished between normal-weight and obese groups based on Spexin concentration.

Conclusions:

  • Lower circulating Spexin levels in obese children suggest a potential role in pediatric obesity.
  • Spexin concentration can discriminate between obese and normal-weight children.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the clinical significance of these findings.
Abstract

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