Related Experiment Videos
Insulin pulsatility in obese and normal prepubertal children
G Radetti1, L Ghizzoni, C Paganini
1Department of Pediatrics, Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Italy.
Insights
Insulin secretion in prepubertal children is pulsatile, similar to adults. Higher body weight in obese children is linked to altered insulin secretion patterns, which may normalize with weight reduction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Obesity Studies
Background:
- Insulin secretion is known to be pulsatile in adults.
- The pattern of insulin secretion in prepubertal children and its relationship with body weight require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if insulin secretion is pulsatile in prepubertal children.
- To examine the influence of body weight on the pulsatile pattern of insulin secretion in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Insulin profiles were measured using 4-minute sampling over 2 hours in fasted prepubertal obese children and healthy controls.
- Obese children were re-evaluated after a weight reduction intervention.
- Data analysis was performed using the Pulsar program to assess pulsatility parameters.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited higher mean insulin levels and more frequent, larger amplitude insulin peaks compared to controls.
- Weight reduction led to normalization of mean insulin levels and overall insulin secretion (AUC0), but did not significantly alter peak frequency, amplitude, or duration.
- Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI-SDS) strongly correlated with parameters of pulsatile insulin secretion.
Conclusions:
- Insulin secretion in prepubertal children demonstrates a pulsatile pattern.
- Body weight significantly influences the pattern of insulin secretion in children, with obesity associated with altered pulsatility.
Objective:
To assess whether in prepubertal children insulin secretion is pulsatile as in adults and to study the influence of body weight on the pattern of insulin secretion.
Design And Patients:
Insulin profiles were obtained by 4-min sampling for 2 h, starting at 08.00 a.m. after an overnight fast in 10 prepubertal obese children (BMI-SDS 4.9 +/- 1.6) and in 6 healthy age-matched controls. Five of the obese children were also studied after weight reduction (Delta BMI-SDS 1.6 +/- 0.4). The data have been analyzed by the Pulsar program.
Results:
Obese children had higher mean insulin levels, insulin secretory areas under the curve above 0 (AUC0), and AUC above baseline (AUCb), with more frequent peaks of larger amplitude and duration compared to controls. Following weight reduction there was a normalization of AUC0 and mean insulin levels while AUCb, peak frequency, amplitude and duration did not change significantly. Correlation analysis revealed that BMI-SDS was strictly related to the parameters of pulsatile insulin secretion such as AUC0, AUCb, mean insulin level, peak amplitude and peak frequency.
Conclusions:
Insulin secretion in children is pulsatile and its secretory pattern is influenced by body weight.