Cardiovascular and Metabolic Complications - Diagnosis and Management in Obese Children

Amino acid profile in overweight and obese prepubertal children - can simple biochemical tests help in the early prevention of associated comorbidities?

Background

It is accepted that plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) are closely related to metabolic risk. Arterial hypertension, metabolic syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are frequently seen in obese patients. Many attempts have been made to find biochemical indicators for the early detection of metabolic complications in children. It is not known if different amino acid profiles and BCAA and AA concentrations in overweight and obese children correlate with chemerin, proinflammatory, and simple biochemical markers. Thus, the study aimed to find out the early markers of cardiovascular disease and MAFLD in overweight and obese children.

Materials and methods

The study included 20 overweight and obese children (M/F 12/8; mean age 7.7 ± 2.3 years; BMI 26.8 ± 5.0 kg/m2) and 12 non-obese children (control group) (M/F 4/8; mean age 6.5 ± 2.2 years; BMI 14.8 ± 1.5 kg/m2). The following plasma amino acids were measured: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, asparagine, glycine, glutamine, taurine, histidine, citrulline, threonine, alanine, arginine, proline, tyrosine, methionine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, ornithine, and lysine. Chemerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and basic biochemistry parameters were measured.

Results

The mean plasma levels of leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, and alanine were significantly higher in overweight and obese children than in the control group (p<0.03-p<0.0004). Conversely, the mean values of serine, asparagine, glutamine, and citrulline were significantly lower in overweight and obese children than in the control group (p<0.03-p<0.0007). Isoleucine, leucine, valine (BCAAs) tyrosine, and phenylalanine (AAAs) levels showed a positive correlation with uric acid, ALT, hs-CRP, and chemerin (r=0.80-0.36; p<0.05-p<0.00001), but not with IL-6. The mean values of glucose, IL-6, hs-CRP, chemerin, uric acid, and ALT were significantly higher in overweight and obese children than in the control group (p<0.03-p<0.00002). In contrast, the lipid profile did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

An abnormal amino acid profile in overweight and obese pre-pubertal children, accompanied by elevated ALT and UA observed in the studied cohort, may suggest early metabolic disturbances that can potentially lead to metabolic syndrome, or MAFLD, and increased cardiovascular risk.

The Association of Physical Function Measures With Frailty, Falls History, and Metabolic Syndrome in a Population With Complex Obesity

Background: Frailty, falls and metabolic syndrome are known to be associated with poorer physical function. This study builds on available research by further investigating the relationship between physical function measures, including those comprising frailty, with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and falls, in the context of complex obesity.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the national Level 3 weight management service in Ireland. A retrospective audit of data gathered at initial assessment was performed. Data included past medical history, blood tests, blood pressure measurement, anthropometrics, falls history, self-reported physical activity levels (PALs) and physical function measures, including hand grip strength (HGS), “timed up and go” (TUG), functional reach (FR), sit to stand (STS) and gait speed. A modified version of the Fried Frailty Index was employed.

Results: Of the 713 participants, 65.1% (n = 464) were female and 34.9% (n = 249) were male with a mean age of 44.2 (±11.7) years and body mass index (BMI) of 50.6 kg/m² (±8.2). Frailty was identified in 3.4% (n = 24), falls in 28.8% (n = 205) and MetS in 55.1% (n = 393). Frailty was associated with older age (53.8 ± 14.3 vs. 43.9 ± 11.5 years), poorer PALs (27.29 ± 46.3 vs. 101.1 ± 147.4 min/wk), reduced grip strength (17.7 ± 4.6 vs. 34.2 ± 11.0 Kg) longer STS (21.7 ± 6.6 vs. 13.7 ± 5.7 s), shorter functional reach (29.7 ± 7.9 vs. 37.9 ± 8.2 cm) and slower gait speed (0.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5 m/s). Those reporting a falls history had a reduced FR (35.8 ± 8.9 vs. 38.3 ± 7.8 cm) and slower STS (15.4 ± 8.0 vs. 13.3 ± 4.7 s). Participants with MetS had lower PALs (83.2 ± 128.2 vs. 119.2 ± 157.6) and gait speed (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.7 m/s). There was no difference in BMI between fallers and non-fallers (51.34 ± 8.44 vs. 50.33 ± 8.13 Kg/m², p = 0.138), nor between those with or without MetS. Significant associations were found between BMI and all physical function measures except the TUAG.

Conclusion: The associations between frailty, falls and MetS and their combined impact on physical function in people living with obesity demonstrates the need for appropriate screening. Utilising grip strength and gait speed to identify frailty in those with obesity and metabolic syndrome could help target therapies aimed at improving strength, physical function and ultimately quality of life.

Association of lead, mercury, and cadmium with metabolic syndrome of young adults in South Korea: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the relations between blood lead, mercury, and cadmium levels, affect metabolic syndrome of young adults.

STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

This study is a descriptive study on verifying the relation between blood lead, mercury, cadmium level, and subcategories of metabolic syndrome. A total of 823 respondents' data of 19~29 years were sampled of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 conducted under the National Health Promotion Law.

MEASUREMENT

To identify the predictive risk factors of metabolic syndromes, the subcategories of metabolic syndromes and the lead, mercury, and cadmium levels were analyzed using logistic regression. Pearson's correlation was used to identify correlations among the factors.

RESULTS

An analysis of the correlations among the metabolic syndromes and blood levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium showed significant relationships between blood lead level and systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, waist circumference, and triglyceride level; also between blood mercury level and waist measurement and triglyceride level; and between blood cadmium level and waist circumference and triglyceride level (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study is significant in that it provides basic data on the correlation between metabolic syndromes and heavy metals among young adults.

Is There A Causal Relationship between Childhood Obesity and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia? A Review

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic with numerous global health implications. Over the past few years, novel insights have emerged about the contribution of adult obesity to cancer risk, but the evidence base is far more limited in children. While pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk of obesity, it is unclear if there are potential causal mechanisms by which obesity leads to ALL development. This review explores the endocrine, metabolic and immune dysregulation triggered by obesity and its potential role in pediatric ALL's genesis. We describe possible mechanisms, including adipose tissue attraction and protection of lymphoblasts, and their impact on ALL chemotherapies' pharmacokinetics. We also explore the potential contribution of cytokines, growth factors, natural killer cells and adipose stem cells to ALL initiation and propagation. While there are no current definite causal links between obesity and ALL, critical questions persist as to whether the adipose tissue microenvironment and endocrine actions can play a causal role in childhood ALL, and there is a need for more research to address these questions.

Excess serum uric acid is associated with metabolic syndrome in obese adolescent patients

Purpose

Obesity is a significant cause of morbidity in adolescents. Excess serum uric acid (SUA) has been associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) among adults. We evaluated the relationship among SUA and markers of insulin resistance (IR) and low-grade inflammation in obese adolescents with and without MS.

Methods

The study was a retrospective chart review of obese patients seen in the LeBonheur Endocrine clinic seen in clinic between September 2016 and December 2017. MS was defined as according to the International Diabetes Federation. Body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body composition, fasting lipids, glucose, high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum uric acid (SUA), HbA1c, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were extracted from the charts of the 100 obese adolescents (57% female).

Results

Hyperuricemia (SUA >357 umol/L) was present in 41.8% of entire cohort without significant ethnic/racial and/or gender differences. Adolescents with HUA had higher FM, SBP, HbA1c, insulin and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). While SUA was positively correlated with FM, SBP, HOMA-IR and HbA1c, and triglyceride:HDL-C ratio (TG:HDL-C) (p < 0.05). MS was identified in 32.8% of cohort. MS showed significantly higher FM, SBP, DBP, SUA, ALT, insulin, HOMA-IR, and TG:HDL-c ratio than non-MS subgroup (p < 0.05). FM was positively correlated with SUA, HOMA-IR and hsCRP (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In our study, those with hyperuricemia (HUA) showed elevated markers of metabolic syndrome including BP, serum glucoses, IR and triglycerides. In our cohort, SUA appears to correlate with MS comorbidities.

Association of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphisms with White Matter Lesions and Brain Atrophy

OBJECTIVE

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is mainly synthesized in the liver. So far, it is unknown the relationship among APOE gene polymorphisms and WML, brain atrophy. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the associations of APOE gene polymorphisms in patients with WML and brain atrophy.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients with WML, 128 patients with brain atrophy, 112 patients with co-occurrence of WML and brain atrophy and 95 healthy elderly volunteers were recruited from Renmin Hospital of WuHan University.

RESULTS

Allele E3 was the most common allele. The alleles E2 had significantly higher levels of ApoB and lower age in WML group. The alleles E2 was associated with the lower level of ApoB, LDL-Ch, TCh, and sdLDL in co-occurrence group. The E3/E3 genotype has higher level of sdLDL, but lower age and female frequency in WML. The E3/E4 genotype had higher level of TG, but lower age in WML. Gender, Age, E2, Hyperhomocysteinemia and UA were also significantly associated with disease progression.

CONCLUSION

This study found that clinical data, lipids and metabolic complications were closely related to ApoE genotypes and alleles, and also disease progression and type.

Growth screening in children aged 3-5 years: a useful tool for public health programs in community pediatrics

Background About 90% of children grow up normally and attain a final height within their genetic target. In children with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), up to 10% will not catch up spontaneously. Turner syndrome is often diagnosed late, and a number of growth-stunted children go undiagnosed and untreated. Objectives Our primary aim was to evaluate the prevalence of stunted growth in preschool-aged children. Our secondary aim was to evaluate growth patterns in children belonging to four ethnic groups in Dreux district, France. Methods Body weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were collected for children aged 3-5 years during systematic community visits. Birth variables, family history of short stature, maternal smoking, ethnic origin, etc. were also recorded. Pubertal status was staged as per Tanner's method. Parents were instructed to attend the hospital growth clinics if their child's height was <-2.0 standard deviation score (SDS). Results Five hundred ninety-three children were screened (301 boys, 289 girls). The mean age was 4.33 ± 0.76 standard deviation (SD) years, and 48% were Caucasians, 13.7% were North Africans, 2.5% were Black Africans, 0.8% were Asians, 1.5% included others and the ethnicity was not specified in 33.5% of the cases. 91.5% of children were term-born and 8.5% were preterm. 84.2% of children were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 9.4% were small for gestational age (SGA). At 5 years of age, 22.2% of macrosomic North African children were overweight. Catch-up growth was complete in 98% children, 11/540 were short statured, 8/11 attended our growth clinics (seven short statured and one micropenis) and three were started on recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Conclusions Growth screening programs are important and useful tools for public health. There is a need for clear objectives, proper training and automated data collection tools, along with easy access to growth specialists.

Serum Chemerin Levels Correlate With Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children and Adolescents

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate serum chemerin concentrations in obese children and adolescents and to investigate the associations of chemerin with body mass index (BMI), lipid levels, and insulin sensitivity.

Methods

Forty-eight obese and 40 nonobese Chinese children and adolescents were included in the study. BMI and levels of chemerin, lipids, glucose, and insulin were measured following an overnight fast. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) were determined for all participants.

Results

Serum chemerin levels were found to be significantly higher in obese children and adolescents than in control group members (94.83 ± 5.99 ng/mL vs 56.43 ± 4.16 ng/mL, P < .001). There were significant correlations between chemerin and age, BMI, BMI-SDS, total triglyceride (TG) levels, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR. After controlling for age, we found that chemerin levels were also significantly correlated with BMI-SDS (r =+ 0.284, P = .008) and HOMA-IR (r =+ 0.241, P = .034). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, we observed only BMI-SDS to be an important determinant of chemerin level.

Conclusions

In our sample of Chinese children and adolescents, chemerin levels were significantly higher in the obese group than in the control group. Chemerin levels were positively correlated with BMI-SDS and HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with age. We thus believe that further study is necessary to investigate the risk of metabolic abnormalities in young obese children and adolescents.