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Serum FAM132A/Adipolin correlates with endothelial dysfunction in children with obesity
1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Insights
Serum FAM132A (Adipolin) is elevated in obese children and linked to vascular injury markers. This suggests FAM132A may serve as an early biomarker for pediatric cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology and cardiovascular research.
- Biomarker discovery for metabolic and vascular diseases.
Background:
- Early identification of cardiovascular risk in children is crucial.
- Biomarkers are needed to link adiposity with vascular injury in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum FAM132A (Adipolin) and markers of endothelial dysfunction in Chinese children with obesity.
- To determine if FAM132A is an independent predictor of vascular injury in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 82 obese children and 50 normal-weight controls.
- Measurement of serum FAM132A, adiponectin, leptin, and endothelial markers (VCAM-1, E-selectin, ESM-1) using ELISA.
- Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for relevant covariates.
Main Results:
- Serum FAM132A levels were significantly higher in children with obesity compared to controls.
- FAM132A positively correlated with BMI, waist-hip ratio, ALT, and endothelial markers.
- FAM132A independently predicted VCAM-1, E-selectin, and ESM-1, independent of insulin resistance and other adipokines.
Conclusions:
- Serum FAM132A is paradoxically elevated in pediatric obesity.
- FAM132A is independently associated with endothelial activation, suggesting a role in early metabolic stress.
- FAM132A shows potential as an early biomarker for vascular injury in children, warranting further validation.
Background:
Early cardiovascular risk in children demands biomarkers linking adiposity to vascular injury. We examined whether serum FAM132A (Adipolin) associates with endothelial dysfunction markers in Chinese children with obesity.
Methods:
In a STROBE-guided single-center case-control study (Sep 2023-Mar 2024), we enrolled 82 children with obesity and 50 age-matched normal-weight controls; all participants underwent clinical assessment and anthropometry, and serum FAM132A, adiponectin, leptin and endothelial markers VCAM-1, E-selectin and ESM-1 were measured by ELISA. Multiple linear regression tested independent associations with adjustment for age, sex, pubertal stage, HOMA-IR and leptin.
Results:
Mean FAM132A was higher in the obesity group (0.97 ± 0.13 vs 0.79 ± 0.07 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and correlated positively with BMI, SDS-BMI, WHR, ALT and the three endothelial markers. In fully adjusted models FAM132A independently predicted VCAM-1 (β = 1.110, p = 0.040), E-selectin (β = 1.210, p = 0.043) and ESM-1 (β = 1.257, p = 0.041); these associations persisted after accounting for insulin resistance and were independent of classic adipokines.
Conclusion:
Serum FAM132A is paradoxically elevated in pediatric obesity and independently associated with endothelial activation, suggesting compensatory upregulation in early metabolic stress and potential utility as an early vascular injury biomarker and merits longitudinal validation.
Impact:
Serum FAM132A elevated in obese Chinese children. FAM132A correlates with endothelial markers VCAM-1, E-selectin, and ESM-1. Associations independent of insulin resistance and classic adipokines. Suggests compensatory upregulation during early metabolic stress.
Implication:
FAM132A as early biomarker for pediatric vascular injury.
