Concentrations of Plasma Free Palmitoleic and Dihomo-Gamma Linoleic Fatty Acids Are Higher in Children with Abdominal Obesity

Abstract

Increased plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with abdominal obesity (AO). However, this association remains controversial in children. This study analyzed plasma FFA concentration in children with and without AO. Twenty-nine children classified with AO were matched by age and sex with 29 non-obese individuals. Blood samples were collected after fasting for 10–12 h. Plasma concentration of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by automatized methods. FFAs were analyzed by gas chromatography. Children with and without AO had similar age (7.1 ± 2.6 vs. 7.2 ± 2.7 years; p > 0.05) but obese children showed higher (p < 0.05) body mass index (BMI) (+4.3 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (+5.1 mmHg), and insulin (+27.8 pmol/L). There were no significant differences in plasma total FFA concentration between groups (1.02 ± 0.61 vs. 0.89 ± 0.37 mmol/L; p > 0.05). However, children with AO had higher palmitoleic acid (0.94 vs. 0.70 wt %; p < 0.05) and dihomo-gamma linoleic acid (DHGL) (2.76 vs. 2.07 wt %; p < 0.05). Palmitoleic and DHGL acids correlated (p < 0.05) with BMI (r = 0.397; r = 0.296, respectively) and with waist circumference (r = 0.380; r = 0.276, respectively). Palmitoleic acid correlated positively with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.386; p < 0.05) and negatively with HDL-C (−0.572; p < 0.01). In summary, children with AO have higher plasmatic concentrations of free palmitoleic and DHGL fatty acids, which correlate with cardiometabolic risk factors.

Metabolomic Salivary Signature of Pediatric Obesity Related Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome

“…Interestingly, this finding is in line with recently reported data suggesting that elevated total serum ceramide, as well as specific concentrations of myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, behenic and lignoceric ceramide, with insulin resistance and play a potential role in the development of NAFLD in obese children [46]. The correlation of the lipid profile with glucose and insulin levels has been reported to probably mirror a still preserved ability to adapt to a caloric challenge compared with metabolically unhealthy individuals [47,48], in line with recent suggestions that propose a fatty acid profile is a useful tool to explain part of the heterogeneity between abdominal obesity and MetS [11,48,49]. Others have reported that, in addition to palmitic and stearic acid, other FAs are deranged and that increased activity of C16 Δ9-desaturase and C18 Δ9-desaturase in parallel with decreased Δ5-desaturase activity may be a causative factor in disturbed fatty acid metabolism [50].…”

Performance of Waist-To-Height Ratio, Waist Circumference, and Body Mass Index in Discriminating Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in a Sample of School-Aged Mexican Children

“…Increased cardiovascular risk and the early-onset of chronic diseases are among the health consequences of childhood obesity [4,5]. It has been recognized that evaluating weight status by traditional tools such as body mass index (BMI) to screen for cardio-metabolic risks is limited by the fact that BMI does not reflect fat distribution [6]; for instance, accumulation of visceral fat (intra-abdominal obesity), compared to subcutaneous fat (peripheral), has been associated with a greater cardiovascular risk [7,8,9,10] and metabolic disorders such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and altered glucose metabolism [11,12].…”

Dietary calories and lipids synergistically shape adipose tissue cellularity during postnatal growth

“…Combinatorial effects of fatty acids according to their relative abundance in the tissue of HFD-fed mice need to be considered in the future. Interestingly, adipose tissue palmitoleic acid content normally declines during childhood and two studies found a positive correlation between circulating free palmitoleic acid and abdominal obesity in children [38], [49], [50]. Palmitoleic acid has been demonstrated to act as an endocrine signal but further studies are required to determine the signaling mechanisms and the impact of excess dietary supply on early fat expansion [38].…”