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Reduced insulin removal and erythrocyte insulin binding in obese children
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to higher insulin levels and reduced insulin receptor binding. Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity but does not fully restore erythrocyte insulin binding in obese children.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern associated with metabolic complications.
- Hyperinsulinemia and altered insulin receptor function may play a role in obesity pathogenesis.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between childhood obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and erythrocyte insulin receptor binding.
- To evaluate the impact of a weight reduction program on these metabolic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma insulin (IRI) and C-peptide levels in obese and normal-weight children.
- Assessed 125I-insulin binding to erythrocytes in both groups.
- Monitored changes after a 1-year weight reduction program in obese children.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited higher fasting IRI and C-peptide, and lower C-peptide to IRI ratio compared to controls.
- Reduced erythrocyte insulin binding was observed in obese children, negatively correlating with relative weight.
- Weight reduction led to decreased fasting blood glucose and post-load IRI, but did not significantly alter insulin binding.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity is characterized by hyperinsulinemia and impaired insulin receptor binding.
- Weight loss interventions can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
- Erythrocyte insulin binding may be a persistent marker of metabolic dysfunction in obese children.
Abstract:
To study the relationship between childhood obesity, weight loss, hyperinsulinaemia and the erythrocyte insulin receptor, we measured the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and C-peptide and the binding of 125I-insulin to erythrocytes in 12 obese children with a mean age +/- SD of 11.4 +/- 2.5 years and a mean relative weight score +/- SD of 4.8 +/- 1.4 and 12 age-matched normal-weight children. Eight obese children were re-evaluated after 1 year's participation in a weight reduction programme. The obese children had higher fasting plasma concentrations of IRI (P less than 0.01) and C-peptide (P less than 0.05) and a lower C-peptide to IRI molar ratio (P less than 0.01) than the normal-weight children. The obese children had in addition a reduced erythrocyte insulin binding (P less than 0.05 or less) over the physiological range of circulating insulin concentration. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.60; P less than 0.01) between the insulin tracer binding and the relative weight. The weight reduction programme resulted in a decrease of 1.0 SD (P less than 0.05) in the mean relative weight score. At the end of the therapy the obese children had lower fasting blood glucose levels (P less than 0.05) and lower plasma IRI concentrations at 90 min (P less than 0.05) after an oral glucose load than at the onset of therapy. There were no significant differences between the insulin binding characteristics at the commencement and at the end of the treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)