Association between circulating furin levels, obesity and pro-inflammatory markers in children

To, in children, investigate the associations between serum furin, obesity, overweight, body fat and circulating markers reflecting adipose tissue or systemic inflammation.

We analysed furin, leptin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, triglycerides, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and C-reactive protein in serum from 166 children in the Pediatric Osteoporosis Prevention (POP) study collected at mean age (SD) 9.9 (0.6) years. Children were classified as low-to-normal weight, overweight or obese. Total body fat mass (kg), trunk fat mass (kg) and total body lean mass (kg) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body fat percentage (%) was calculated.

We found that circulating furin levels were higher in children with obesity and overweight compared with children with low-to-normal weight (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Also, there were positive correlations between circulating furin, total body fat mass, trunk fat mass, body fat percentage, triglycerides, adipokines and pro-inflammatory markers.

This study indicates associations between furin, adiposity and a pro-inflammatory milieu in children. We suggest that future studies investigate the role of furin in fat tissue inflammation and associated increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases in children. Studies should also investigate whether higher furin levels could be a link between obesity and severe coronavirus disease 2019 in children.