Relation of subepicardial adipose tissue thickness and clinical and metabolic parameters in obese prepubertal children

Epicardial adipose tissue and signs of metabolic syndrome in children

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and predictive parameters for metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight/obese prepubertal children.

METHODS

73 prepubertal children, average age of 8.22 years, with no endocrine or syndromic causes of obesity or under drug therapy for chronic disease were enrolled. Weight, height, body circumferences and skinfolds' thickness were measured. BMI, BMI z score (z-BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) were calculated. Standard MS-related laboratory parameters were assessed. Finally, all children underwent echocardiographic measurement of EAT.

RESULTS

A positive correlation between EAT and z-BMI was found only among overweight/obese children (r = 0.43, p = 0.001). In particular, data showed that 89 % of our sample had a waist (W) >90th percentile. Statistical differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p < 0.01) and EAT (p = 0.02) were observed on comparing W <90th percentile vs W >90th percentile patients. Besides, in patients with W >90th percentile and family history of risk factors for MS, the value of EAT correlated positively with z-BMI, W, WtHR, triglycerides (Tg), insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and negatively with HDL.

CONCLUSIONS

The EAT and the markers of MS probably share the same pathogenetic factors. Further studies might elucidate whether EAT deserves to be included among the diagnostic factors of MS.

Relation of fetuin A levels with cardiac, subcutaneous lipid accumulation and insulin resistance parameters in Turkish obese children

BACKGROUND

Fetuin A is an inhibitor of insulin action and have been found to be related with subcutaneous lipid accumulation and insulin resistance. The relation of cardiac lipid accumulation, fetuin A and insulin resistance parameters in obese children is not well-known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation of serum fetuin A levels with subcutaneous and cardiac lipid accumulation, and insulin resistance parameters in Turkish obese children.

METHODS

Serum fetuin A levels, cardiac and subcutaneous lipid accumulation parameters of 42 obese (10.9±2.3 years, 19 female) and 40 control group subjects (11.2±2.7) were compared. Cardiac lipid accumulation measured by subepicardial adipose tissue thickness. Insulin resistance was assessed using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) index.

RESULTS

There were significant correlations serum fetuin A levels with BMI-SDS, circumferences of waist, hip and midarm, SATT and HOMA-IR (r=0.362, p=0.018, r=0.728, p=0.001, r=0.662, p=0.0001, r=0.713, p=0.0001, r=0.477, p=0.001, and r=0.330, p=0.038 as, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Fetuin A was correlated well with cardiac and subcutaneous lipid accumulation, insulin resistance parameters, which may be related with early pathogenetic mechanisms of metabolic obesity complications in children.