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Circulating PGRN Levels Are Increased but Not Associated with Insulin Sensitivity or β-Cell Function in Chinese Obese

Fengyun Wang1, Ting Chen1, Ling Sun2

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetic Disorders, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Disease Markers
|August 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Serum progranulin (PGRN) levels are higher in obese children and correlate with obesity markers like triglycerides and cholesterol. This suggests PGRN may play a role in childhood obesity development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Adipokine Research
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Progranulin (PGRN) is an adipokine linked to energy homeostasis and obesity in adults.
  • Its role in childhood obesity remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding PGRN's function in children is crucial for addressing pediatric metabolic health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of progranulin (PGRN) in obese children.
  • To explore the relationship between serum PGRN levels and obesity-related markers in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 77 children (43 obese, 34 healthy).
  • Serum PGRN levels were measured and compared between obese and healthy children.
  • Correlations between PGRN levels and various obesity markers (lipids, blood pressure, glucose metabolism) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly higher serum PGRN levels compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05).
  • PGRN levels positively correlated with triglyceride, total cholesterol, IL-6, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in obese children.
  • No significant correlation was found between PGRN and HOMA-IR or HOMA-β.

Conclusions:

  • Serum PGRN levels are elevated in obese children in China.
  • Increased PGRN is associated with key obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular markers.
  • PGRN may contribute to the pathophysiology of childhood obesity.

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