Serum adiponectin, body adiposity and metabolic parameters in obese Egyptian children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objectives Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher risk for obesity. Adiponectin plays a crucial role in obesity-related cardiometabolic comorbidities. The study aimed to explore whether body adiposity indicators, the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, serum adiponectin and insulin resistance indices as well as the validity of serum adiponectin as a biomarker for MetS are different in prepubertal obese-DS children compared to matched obese-controls. Methods Cross-sectional study included 150 prepubertal children classfied into three groups; obese-DS (n=50), obese-control (n=50) and normal-weight-control (n=50). Participants were evaluated for waist-circumference (WC), body adiposity, serum triglycerides, HDL-C, adiponectin and Homeostasis-Model-Assessment of Insulin-Resistance (HOMA-IR). MetS was defined using modified Adult Treatment Panel III-criteria. Results Obese-DS had significantly higher WC, %body fat, total-fat mass, trunk-fat mass, trunk/appendicular-fat mass ratio, triglycerides, insulin and HOMA-IR and significantly lower HDL-C values compared to obese-control. Higher prevalence of MetS and its components were observed in obese-DS that was evident at younger age. Adiponectin was significantly lower in obese-DS compared with obese-control and in obese-DS children with MetS compared to obesecontrol with MetS. The decrease in adiponectin with increasing grades of obesity was pronounced in obese-DS. Adiponectin exhibited strong correlations with body adiposity, several MetS components and HOMA-IR in obese-DS. Adiponectin performed better as a biomarker for MetS among obese-DS (AUC=0.808) than obese-control (AUC=0.674). Conclusions Prepubertal obese-DS displayed excess body adiposity with pronounced central fat distribution, atherogenic lipid profile and higher insulin resistance compared to matched obese-control. Adiponectin performed better as potential biomarker of MetS in obese-DS than obese-control.

Clinical Significance of the Fetuin-A-to-Adiponectin Ratio in Obese Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus

“…In contrast to fetuin-A, adiponectin, the major adipocytokine secreted by differentiated adipocytes, is characterized by its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, and acts as a homeostatic player to improve insulin sensitivity by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism [ 27 ]. As both fetuin-A and adiponectin are linked to the mechanism underlying obesity but function in an opposite direction, the fetuin-A values adjusted by adiponectin seem to exhibit a higher performance.…”

Pediatric Population with Down Syndrome: Obesity and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Their Assessment Using Omics Techniques—Review

“…In the teenage period, when PWDS gain more independence and the ability to choose the type and amount of food (with the predominance of processed products with excessive amount of salt and sugar), obesity begins to be most visible. Yahia et al pointed out that prepubertal obese-DS displayed excess body adiposity with pronounced central fat distribution, atherogenic lipid profile, and higher insulin resistance compared with matched obese-control [ 85 , 86 ]. Wernio et al pointed out that overweight children with DS were characterized by higher levels of triglycerides, atherogenic index of plasma, and apoA2 and apoE levels [ 87 ].…”