The Study on the Serum Levels of Resistin, Adiponectin, and Leptin in Obese Children

ABSTRACT

Resistin, adiponectin, and leptin are hormones secreted by adipose tissue and are known to play an important role in adipose tissue metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of adipocyte-derived hormones (resistin, adiponectin, leptin) in obese children aged 10-12 years. The subjects were 102 obese children with obesity index (OI) over 120% and 51 control children with obesity index less than 120% were included for comparison. Anthropometric variables and serological parameters were assessed. Height, weight, OI, body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in obese group than in control. Obese children showed significantly higher serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-cholesterol and significantly lower HDL-cholesterol compared with control children, even though the values were within normal ranges for both groups. Concentrations of resistin and leptin were significantly higher in obese group than in control. Adiponectin and insulin levels were tended to lower in obese group even though the differences were not statistically significant. Resistin had significant positive correlation with OI and TG, and leptin with weight, OI, BMI, TG and TC. On the other hand, adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with height, OI and BMI. These finding showed that obese children had higher serum levels of resistin and leptin and lower adiponectin, and also these hormones had correlations with related factors of obesity, suggesting adipocyte-derived hormones has a role in child obesity.