Serum levels of adiponectin and resistin in obese children: relationship with insulin resistance

ABSTRACT

Adiponectin and resist in are fat cell-derived hormones, which are thought to be respectively protective and disadvantageous with regard to the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2. The aim is to study the relationship between insulin resistance and serum adiponectin and resistin in obese children. A total of 60 obese and 30 nonobese children were enrolled and serum levels of adiponectin and resistin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Compared with controls, higher insulin resistance by homeostasis model [HOMA-lR] and lower whole body insulin sensitivity index [WBISI] were found in obese children [all p=0.000]. The acliponectin levels in obese children and controls were 3.41 +/- 1.93 and 5.21 +/- 3.1 micro g/L with a significant difference [p=0. 001], while the difference of resistin levels was not significant [p=0.963]. Significant correlations between insulin resistance parameters [HOMA-lR and WBISI] and age, sexual development, body mass index, serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, or adiponectin levels [all p<0.05] were noted. On the other hand there was no significant correlation between insulin resistance parameters and serum levels of resistin[p>0.05]. In conclusion, These results suggest that adiponectin may play a protective role in obese children through decreasing insulin resistance