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PI3K/Akt pathway expression in children with different obesity degrees and its relationship with glucolipid

Xiaoyan Su1, Deming Gu1, Li Xu1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, Hainan, China.

American Journal of Translational Research
|July 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway in children with obesity correlates with abnormal glucolipid metabolism and insulin resistance. This pathway

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
  • Obesity is linked to metabolic disturbances and insulin resistance.
  • The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism and insulin signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway in children with varying degrees of obesity.
  • To analyze the relationship between PI3K/Akt pathway expression and glucolipid metabolism.
  • To determine the association between PI3K/Akt pathway expression and insulin resistance in pediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

  • 157 children with simple obesity (mild, moderate, severe) and 60 healthy children were enrolled.
  • PI3K mRNA and Akt mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured using RT-PCR.
  • Glucolipid metabolism markers and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Obese children showed significantly higher triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR levels compared to controls.
  • HDL levels were lower in obese children compared to controls.
  • PI3K and Akt mRNA levels were significantly lower in obese children and decreased with increasing obesity severity, showing negative correlation with lipid/insulin markers and positive correlation with HDL.

Conclusions:

  • The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is inhibited in children with simple obesity.
  • This inhibition is associated with abnormal glucolipid metabolism and insulin resistance.
  • Dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway contributes to the development and progression of childhood obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
ObesityPI3K/Akt pathwaychildrenglucolipid metabolisminsulin resistance

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