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Is there a link between progranulin, obesity, and parameters of the metabolic syndrome in children? Findings from a

Petra Niklowitz1, Juliane Rothermel1, Nina Lass1

  • 1Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents Datteln, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany.

Pediatric Diabetes
|August 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Progranulin levels did not differ between obese and normal-weight children and were not linked to insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome in obese youth. These findings do not support progranulin

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Inflammatory Cytokines

Background:

  • Progranulin, an inflammatory cytokine, is hypothesized to influence obesity and related conditions like insulin resistance.
  • Understanding the role of progranulin in pediatric obesity is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between progranulin levels and obesity parameters, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome in obese children.
  • To analyze the longitudinal changes in progranulin during and after a lifestyle intervention in obese children.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 88 obese children and 23 normal-weight controls.
  • Measurements included progranulin, leptin, BMI-SDS, body fat, lipids, transaminases, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years.
  • Statistical analyses included cross-sectional and longitudinal multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Progranulin concentrations were similar between obese and normal-weight children.
  • Progranulin levels decreased significantly during and after lifestyle intervention, irrespective of BMI-SDS changes.
  • No significant association was found between progranulin and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), metabolic syndrome parameters, or transaminases.
  • Progranulin showed a significant negative correlation with age.

Conclusions:

  • The study's findings do not support the hypothesis that progranulin is a key mediator linking childhood obesity to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
  • Further research may be needed to explore other potential roles of progranulin in pediatric metabolic health.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenlifestyle interventionmetabolic syndromeobesityprogranulinweight loss

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