Adiponectin/resistin levels and insulin resistance in children: a four country comparison study

There are few reports on the effects of ethnicity or gender in the association between adipocytokines and insulin resistance in children of different ages. This study assessed associations between serum concentrations of adiponectin/resistin and parameters of insulin resistance in children from 4 different countries. A total of 2,290 children were analyzed in this study; each was from one of 4 different countries (Japan, Thailand, Italy and USA), and grouped according to age (8–11 years old in Group 1 and 12–15 years old in Group 2). Adioponectin was higher in female than in male children, and in Group 1 than in Group 2. Generally, adiponectin was lower in Asian as compared to Italian and American children. These tendencies remained even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) or waist circumstance (WC). Among older children (Group 2), resistin was higher in female than in male children. Significant correlations by non-parametric univariate correlation coefficients and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were found between adiponectin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting serum insulin levels in young Japanese, Italian, and American female children(p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Correlations between serum adiponectin and HOMA-IR were also found among older male Italian, American, and Thai children (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In multiple regression analysis by forced entry method, adiponectin correlated with HOMA-IR in Italian and American male children, and in all older female children regardless of country of origin. There was no correlation between resistin and markers of insulin resistance in children from any of the countries. We conclude that serum adiponectin concentrations are lower in Asian as compared to Italian and American children, and that adiponectin but not resistin contributes to differences in markers for insulin resistance in children from different populations

Insulin Sensitivity and Clinical Profiles in CPP Girls Compared to Controls

Objective: This study aimed to compare obesity, insulin sensitivity, clinical, and metabolic parameters between CPP and age-matched control girls, with or without obese girls and to determine correlations between these factors. Methods: CPP and control girls were recruited and were allocated into obese and non-obese groups. There were 3 groups of comparison including non-obese control girls (n=29), non-obese CPP girls (n=20), and obese CPP girls (n=6), because obese controls could not be recruited. Results: Body mass index (BMI), body weight, and height percentiles were higher in obese CPP and non-obese CPP girls compared to control girls. Lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were not different between all groups. Insulin and the HOMA-IR were positively but the QUICKI was negatively correlated with metabolic and anthropometric parameters mainly in the control group, while these parameters were significantly correlated with LH and FSH in the CPP group. From multivariate regression, insulin and the HOMA-IR were associated with reproductive indices in CPP and with fat mass in controls. Conclusion: Insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance were related to metabolic factors in prepubertal stage, but were more associated with the reproductive status during pubertal advancement