Circulating Myonectin and Oxytocin Levels in Pediatric Obesity: A Comparative Study
Muammer Buyukinan1, Ummugulsum Can2, Zafer Bagci3
1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya 42130, Turkey.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Children with obesity have lower myonectin and higher oxytocin levels, suggesting altered metabolic signaling and neuroendocrine regulation. These findings highlight potential biomarkers for pediatric obesity but do not establish causality.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Pediatric Obesity
Background:
- Obesity involves complex inter-organ signaling between skeletal muscle and neuroendocrine systems.
- Myonectin (CTRP15) is a skeletal muscle regulator, while oxytocin has anorexigenic properties.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for addressing pediatric obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate circulating myonectin and oxytocin levels in children with obesity.
- To examine associations between these biomarkers and insulin resistance/metabolic risk.
- To explore the role of myonectin and oxytocin in pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 53 children with obesity and 37 healthy controls.
- Assessed anthropometrics, glucose, insulin, lipids, and HOMA-IR.
- Measured serum myonectin and oxytocin concentrations.
Main Results:
- Children with obesity had higher HOMA-IR, hyperinsulinemia, and triglycerides.
- Serum myonectin was significantly lower in the obesity group (p=0.019).
- Circulating oxytocin was significantly higher in children with obesity (p=0.044).
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity is linked to reduced myonectin and increased oxytocin.
- Suggests altered muscle-derived metabolic signaling and neuroendocrine regulation in pediatric obesity.
- Causal relationships cannot be established due to the cross-sectional design.
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