The relationship between cortisol and IGF-I influences metabolic alteration in pediatric overweight and obesity

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Roberta Ricotti1, Arianna Solito1, Elena Mariotti Zani2

  • 1SCDU of Pediatrics, Department of Health Sciences.

European Journal of Endocrinology
|December 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

High cortisol and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in obese children are linked to cardiovascular risks. Low IGF-I with high cortisol is associated with glucose metabolism issues, highlighting complex hormonal roles in pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Metabolic impairments in Cushing's syndrome and GH deficiency suggest a role for cortisol and GH/IGF-I axis in obesity-related diseases.
  • Previous studies on individual hormones in pediatric obesity have yielded controversial results.
  • The interplay between cortisol and IGF-I in pediatric obesity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the simultaneous relationship between cortisol and IGF-I levels and metabolic alterations in pediatric obesity.
  • To explore how combined high/high, low/low, and high/low levels of cortisol and IGF-I influence metabolic comorbidities.
  • To clarify the complex roles of cortisol and IGF-I in the context of pediatric obesity and its associated diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cross-sectional study involving 876 overweight and obese children and adolescents.
  • Comprehensive clinical and biochemical evaluations, including Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
  • Cortisol and IGF-I standard deviation scores (SDS) were analyzed in quartiles to assess reciprocal influences on metabolic parameters.

Main Results:

  • Higher quartiles of both IGF-I-SDS and cortisol were associated with increased risk of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, elevated triglycerides, and reduced HDL cholesterol.
  • Lower IGF-I-SDS quartiles, in conjunction with rising cortisol quartiles, correlated with higher blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and reduced insulin sensitivity.
  • Cardiovascular risk factors were linked to high levels of both IGF-I and cortisol, even within normal ranges, except for glucose metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • Cortisol and IGF-I play intricate roles in the comorbidities of pediatric obesity.
  • Glucose metabolism is specifically associated with low IGF-I and high cortisol levels.
  • Simultaneous evaluation of both cortisol and IGF-I may help resolve discrepancies in previous research and improve understanding of obesity-related metabolic disturbances.
Abstract

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