Background Adolescence is one of the critical periods where increased risk for long-term obesity-related complications is an important health concern. This highlights the need to perform early diagnostics based on precise biomarkers to decrease the risk of complications in adolescents with obesity. Objective To determine the relationships between serum levels of uric acid (UA), leptin and insulin with metabolic syndrome (MS) components in Algerian adolescents. Subjects Nondiabetic adolescents (n = 204). Methods Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were performed using standardized techniques. Blood samples were taken for determination of glycemia, triglyceridemia, uricemia, cholesterolemia, leptinemia and insulinemia. Results The rate of MS among an excess weight group was 17.4% [95% confidence interval (CI)]. Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in the excess weight group compared to a normal weight group (279.4 ± 86.05 vs. 204.9 ± 50.34 μmol/L and 25.65 ± 14.01 vs. 4.09 ± 2.60 μg/L, p < 0.001; 24.58 ± 13.85 vs. 13.34 ± 6.41 μIU/L, p < 0.05). Serum levels of UA, leptin and insulin were significantly higher in adolescents with MS compared to those without MS (304.86 ± 111.41 vs. 224.72 ± 77.81 μmol/L, 30.26 ± 12.46 vs. 16.93 ± 14.97 μg/L and 30.91 ± 17.30 vs. 18.71 ± 10.14 μIU/L, p < 0.05, respectively). Significant correlations were found between UA and leptin with waist circumference (r = 0.50 and 0.76), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.58 and 0.43), triglycerides (r = 0.42 and 0.35) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = -0.36 and -0.35). Conclusion Serum levels of UA and leptin may be useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of the risk of MS in our Algerian adolescent population.

Background Association of hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure (BP) among adolescents with high waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) remains not fully addressed and could represent a new way to diagnose adolescents early with cardiometabolic risk. Objective We aimed to determine abdominal obesity (AO) prevalence and investigate relations between AO, uric acid (UA), lipid profiles, BP and geographical patterns in adolescents. Subjects 577 and 204 Algerian students aged between 10 and 19 years were included in our epidemiological and biochemical studies, respectively. Methods Height, weight, waist circumference (Wc) and hip circumferences, body mass index (BMI) and BP were measured. Fasting blood sampling was performed to measure glycemia, lipid profile, uricemia, insulinemia and leptinemia. The WHtR ≥0.50 was applied for the diagnosis of AO and geodemographics was evaluated. Results The prevalence of AO was 12.13% among all students, 19.17% and 16.39% among students living in urban and plain areas, respectively. The risk of AO may be reduced in rural and mountainous areas. Lipid parameters, UA, insulin and leptin serum concentrations were significantly increased in adolescents with WHtR ≥0.50 compared to those with WHtR <0.50. Cardiometabolic risk was increased with WHtR ≥0.50 and BMI >26. Means of BMI, Wc, BP, and lipid parameters were significantly increased in the fourth quartiles compared to the first quartile of UA. Conclusion Urban areas and plains represent factors contributing to AO and WHtR ≥0.50 may be used as a cut-off point to define risks of high BP, lipid abnormalities and UA serum level in Algerian adolescents.