Effect of weight reduction on insulin sensitivity, sex hormone-binding globulin, sex hormones and gonadotrophins in obese children

Abstract

Objective: Obesity in men is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and hypoandrogenism, while obesity in women is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and hyperandrogenism. In children, the effect of obesity and weight reduction on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis is rarely investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of weight reduction in obese Caucasian children on insulin sensitivity, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), DHEAS and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Methods: One hundred and sixteen (65 females) obese children with a median age of 12.3 (7-15) years were examined before and after a 10-week stay at a weight loss camp. Examination included anthropometry and fasting blood samples measuring plasma glucose, serum insulin, SHBG, DHEAS, testosterone, 17b-oestradiol, FSH and LH. Results: Body mass index (BMI) decreased (P!0.01), insulin sensitivity and SHBG increased (P!0.01), independent of gender and puberty. The changes in insulin sensitivity and the changes in SHBG correlated significantly (P!0.01) independent of gender, puberty and the changes in BMI. Testosterone increased in boys (P!0.01) and tended to decrease in girls (PZ0.05, in girls after menarche (PZ0.03)). FSH increased in boys and girls. LH increased in boys and was unchanged in girls. Conclusions: During weight loss, insulin sensitivity and SHBG increased significantly in obese children, and the changes in insulin sensitivity and the changes in SHBG correlated significantly independent of gender, puberty and the changes in BMI. There was sexual dimorphism in the changes of testosterone, with the changes in boys towards increased virilisation and the changes in girls towards less virilisation.

Parameters for calcium metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who undergo clomiphene citrate stimulation: a prospective cohort study

“…The same was found for SHBG and BMI (data not shown), whereas PTH and BMI were correlated positively. It has already been mentioned that SHBG is influenced by the BMI (16). Our data partly confirm previous observations in PCOS women, including the positive correlation between PTH and testosterone as well as the fact that overweight and obese patients revealed significantly lower 25OHD3 levels (2, 17).…”

Resistência insulínica pode prejudicar a redução da espessura mediointimal em adolescentes obesos

“…These findings corroborate with literature evidences, that demonstrate the efficacy of weight loss programs in improving insulin sensitivity and avoiding that insulin resistance impair weight loss process in obese children and adolescents 30,31 .…”

Nutritional modifications in male infertility: a systematic review covering 2 decades

“…93 Obesity is also negatively associated with the level of sex hormone-binding globulin. 94,95 In other words, fat mass is a negative determinant of sex hormone-binding globulin levels because of reduced hepatic globulin synthesis caused by excessive levels of insulin. 96 Cholesterol-rich diets have the potential to contribute to male infertility and to decrease semen quality via disruption of the blood-testes barrier.…”