Increased concentrations of serum nesfatin-1 levels in childhood with idiopathic chronic malnutrition

Abstract

Background/aim: Nesfatin-1, an anorexigenic molecule, seems to play a role in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relation of nesfatin-1 with anthropometric and metabolic (ghrelin, leptin) parameters in children with idiopathic chronic malnutrition. Materials and methods:The study included 37 underweight and 38 healthy children who were similar regarding age, sex, and pubertal status. Anthropometric and biochemical (nesfatin-1, ghrelin, and leptin levels) variables were assessed.Results: A total of 37 underweight subjects (mean age 10.5 ± 2.6 years) and 38 heathy subjects (mean age 10.3 ± 2.3 years) were recruited. Underweight children had significantly higher nesfatin-1 (2.76 ± 0.4 vs. 1.56 ± 0.7, P < 0.001) and lower leptin levels (2.21 ± 2.0 vs. 5.21 ± 2.4, P < 0.001) than those of the control subjects. Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly associated with only leptin levels, after adjusting for age and BMI (r = -0.371, P = 0.001). Conclusion:The present study is the first to evaluate nesfatin-1 levels in relation with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in children with chronic malnutrition, who were subsequently found to have significantly higher nesfatin-1 levels. Our study underlines that nesfatin-1 may play a role in the development of malnutrition by inhibiting food intake in children.

Nutritional Laboratory Markers in Malnutrition

“…Nesfatin-1 is an anorexigenic molecule and seems to play a role in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. Serum nesfatin-1 concentrations have been shown to be increased in chronically malnourished but otherwise healthy children [56].…”

Current Understanding of the Role of Nesfatin-1

“…However, other studies described a negative association of circulating NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and body mass index (BMI) [ 55 , 59 , 60 ] and an increase after bariatric surgery in humans [ 61 ] and also mice [ 62 ], giving rise to additional, confounding factors such as sex or comorbidities like diabetes. Also, chronic malnutrition in children was reported to upregulate serum NUCB2/nesfatin-1 concentrations [ 63 ]. Whether this effect reflects metabolism- or stress-associated changes remains to be investigated.…”