ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are the most significant risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children, and a major cause of liver-related morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and fasting insulin in obese children with NAFLD to explore the role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of this disease. Materials and Methods: The fasting serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, glucose, insulin, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, GGT and CRP were measured in a group of 50 NAFLD children after making ultrasonography and 40 other participants were considered as a control group with comparable age, sex and body-mass index. Results: Plasma adiponectin was found significantly low in NAFLD children than its level in control group (3.23± 2.5 vs 11.0 ± 2.95 ng/dl). Moreover, NAFLD group had significantly higher insulin resistance, fasting insulin 11.4± 4.9 vs 4.7±3.1 mu/l levels in comparison with control group. Regarding serum leptin, there was no significant difference. An inverse correlation was observed between adiponectin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, leptin, triglycerides, ALT, AST, GGT and BMI. Conclusion: This data supports a role for low circulating adiponectin value in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its association with insulin resistance.