Ependymin-related protein 1 levels are elevated in children with obesity and correlated with metabolic disorders

Ependymin-related protein 1 (EPDR1) has been found in the secretory body of adipocytes where it plays a role in lipid binding, transportation, and catabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate serum EPDR1 levels in children with obesity and normal-weight children and to compare the levels of EPDR1 between children with obesity, with and without metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Thirty-four normal-weight children and 49 children with obesity (15 with MAFLD) were included in the study. Circulating EPDR1, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements related to obesity, blood lipids, and insulin resistance were performed on all participants. The serum EPDR1 levels of children with obesity were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was no difference in EPDR1 levels between the patients with and without MAFLD. Circulating EPDR1 was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, insulin, glucose, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, white blood cells, and neutrophils. Binary logistic regression analysis showed a significant increase in the odds ratio of obesity with increasing EPDR1 levels. EPDR1 is strongly associated with obesity and may also be associated with metabolic disorders. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2300070951.