The increase of fatty acid-binding protein aP2 in overweight and obese children: interactions with dietary fat and impact on measures of subclinical inflammation

Abstract

Background:In adults, circulating aP2 may link obesity, inflammation and the metabolic syndrome, but there are few data in children. Experimental models support that dietary factors, particularly dietary fat, may be major determinants of phenotype. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate, in normal, overweight and obese children, the relationships among aP2, the metabolic syndrome, inflammation and diet. Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Northern Switzerland. Subjects: Subjects for this study were 6-to 14-year-old, prepubertal and early pubertal, normal weight, overweight and obese children (n ¼ 124). Main outcome measures: Body mass index (BMI), body fat percent, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, circulating aP2, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma lipids and dietary intakes of macro-and micronutrients were determined. Results: Circulating aP2 markedly increased with increasing central and total adiposity, and predicted measures of insulin resistance. Independent of BMI standard deviation scores and puberty, aP2 correlated with intake of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E as well as circulating concentrations of CRP, leptin and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Children with lower aP2 concentrations consuming high-fat diets did not show an increase in fasting insulin or CRP, whereas those with higher aP2 concentrations showed marked increases in these measures with high intakes of fat or saturated fat. Conclusions: Increased central and overall adiposity in children are associated with higher circulating aP2 concentrations. In children with high dietary intakes of total fat and saturated fat, but not those with low intakes, higher aP2 concentrations are associated with measures of insulin resistance and inflammation.

Hyperinsulinemia and ectopic fat deposition can develop in the face of hyperadiponectinemia in young obese rats

“…Studies in children have shown that excessive intake of high-fat diets increases the risk for overweight and obesity [2,3]. Increased fat intake in pre-adolescent children has been associated with subclinical inflammation, dyslipidemia, systemic insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure [4,5]. Obesity in children is also the major risk factor for development of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (pNAFLD), defined histologically as ≥5% of hepatocytes containing macrovesicular lipid droplets [6,7].…”

Overweight children have higher circulating hepcidin concentrations and lower iron status but have dietary iron intakes and bioavailability comparable with normal weight children

“…Data on relationships between diet and metabolic factors from a subgroup of these children (n ¼ 79) have been published previously. [18][19][20][21] Informed written consent was obtained from the parents and informed oral assent from the children. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ethics committee of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich.…”

Total body fat, abdominal fat, body fat distribution and surrogate markers for health related to adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) in children

“…Some case-control studies have shown that FABP4 is elevated in obese children compared with normal weight children [10][11][12][13][14], whereas one case-control study did not find any differences [15]. We are aware of only two studies in unselected children that have attempted to investigate relationships between FABP4 and different measures of body fat [16,17].…”

“…FABP4 has also been investigated in young subjects. A few case-control studies have shown that FABP4 is elevated in obese children compared with normal weight children [10][11][12][13][14], but this is not the case in all studies [15]. Weight loss [10,12] and nutritional counseling and supplementation with encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrate have been shown to decrease FABP4 levels [14].…”