Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and lipid profile ratio as cardiovascular risk markers in children with obesity

INTRODUCTION

Obesity has been shown to be associated with low levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the levels of sRAGE and its association with the lipid index in children with obesity.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of children with obesity aged between six and 11 years. Anthropometric measurements, glucose, lipid profile, insulin and sRAGE were evaluated; body mass index, total cholesterol/high-density cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), triglycerides/glucose (TG/glucose), and triglycerides/HDL-C (TG-HDL-C) ratios and HOMA-IR were also calculated.

RESULTS

Eighty children were studied, among which 50% were males and 50% females. Females had higher values for waist circumference, HOMA-IR, and TG/HDL-C and TG/glucose ratios. No significant differences were found for sRAGE. When the variables were compared according to TG/HDL-C ratio tertiles, higher TC/HDL, TG/glucose, and sRAGE values were found at upper tertile. A significant correlation was observed between sRAGE and HOMA-IR (p < 0.03) in males, and between sRAGE and TG/HDL-C (p < 0.01) and TG/glucose ratios (p < 0.008) in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The female gender showed more cardiovascular risk factors and higher sRAGE at TG/HDL-C upper tertile. Further studies are required to test the possible predictive effect of higher risk for developing metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN-1, NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE, AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH FRUCTOSE CONSUMPTION IN CHILDREN WITH OBESITY

Background

Over consumption of added sugar is associated with obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and insulin resistance (IR).

Objective

The objective of the study was to study the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and NAFLD and their relationship with fructose consumption in children with obesity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in children 6-11 years old with obesity. Anthropometric measurements, fructose consumption, glucose, lipid profile, insulin, and IGFBP-1 levels were evaluated; the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was used. NAFLD was evaluated by ultrasound.

Results

We studied 83 children with a mean age of 9.2 ± 1.3 years. About 93% of the girls presented IR and lower levels of IGFBP-1 (p = 0.0001). The group with the lower levels of IGFBP-1 had higher HOMA-IR (p = 0.000002); IGFBP-1 was associated with fructose consumption (r = -0.25; p = 0.03), body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.42; p = 0.02), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.61; p = 0.002). About 81% of the children were classified as having mild or moderate/severe NAFLD, and these groups had higher HOMA-IR (p = 0.036) and fructose consumption (p = 0.0014).

Conclusions

The girls had more metabolic alterations. The group with lower levels of IGFBP-1 (hepatic IR) was associated with higher BMI, HOMA-IR, and fructose consumption; the group with higher severity of NAFLD showed higher HOMA-IR and fructose consumption.