C-type natriuretic peptide in childhood obesity
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Published on: April 4, 2012
Manuela Cabiati1, Agnese Sgalippa1, Giovanni Federico2
1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy.
Insights
Childhood obesity is rising, increasing adult risks. This review finds C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) levels decrease in obese adolescents, suggesting CNP may indicate obesity risk and guide new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Obesity, a global health issue, has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, with a significant rise in childhood obesity.
- Childhood obesity poses long-term risks, including adult obesity, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality.
- Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are crucial in regulating body weight and energy metabolism, but data on their role in pediatric obesity is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on childhood obesity, with a specific focus on natriuretic peptides (NPs).
- To investigate the role of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in pediatric obesity.
- To explore CNP as a potential marker for obesity risk in children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on childhood obesity and natriuretic peptides.
- Analysis of data on plasma CNP levels in overweight/obese versus normal-weight adolescents.
- Examination of CNP mRNA expression in relation to obesity.
Main Results:
- Plasma CNP levels are progressively reduced in overweight/obese adolescents compared to normal-weight peers.
- CNP levels in obese adolescents mirror findings in obese adults.
- A significant association exists between lower CNP levels, obesity, and endothelial dysfunction index.
Conclusions:
- C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) may serve as an important risk marker for developing obesity in adolescents.
- Findings support the importance of healthy lifestyles for improving metabolic control.
- This research provides a rationale for developing novel therapeutics targeting the NPs system for obesity management.
Abstract:
According to the World Health Organization obesity is the result of an energy imbalance between calories assumed and expended and over the past 30 years its incidence has dramatically increased. Recently, the problem of obesity has drastically increased also in childhood, assuming a social relevance. Childhood obesity, in fact, increases the possibility to be obese in adulthood, representing a risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Aim of this review was to carry out a revision of the literature on childhood obesity focusing on natriuretic peptides (NPs) and in particular on the role of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). In obesity NPs play a fundamental role in the regulation of body weight and energy metabolism. Data on plasma CNP levels in children are scarce. The review of the literature relating to the role of CNP in adolescents showed a progressive reduction in the CNP plasma levels in overweight/obese adolescents compared to normal-weight subjects, as previously observed in obese adults, as well as a different modulation in CNP mRNA expression. An independent association between CNP levels and obesity as well as a significant association with the endothelial dysfunction index was reported, indicating that the peptide could play a very important role as a marker of risk of developing obesity. The results of these studies indicate the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles to improve glucometabolic control as well as to provide the rationale for designing and developing new drugs to modulate the NPs system.
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