Oxidative status and serum leptin levels in obese prepubertal children

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically over the last 20-30 years in developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative and antioxidant status and any correlation with leptin in obese prepubertal children. A cross-sectional study was made of healthy children from ten elementary schools in the province of Elazig, Eastern Turkey. Blood samples were drawn from children comprising obese and control groups, on a visit to their school in the morning after an overnight fast. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.03 +/- 4.09 kg/m(2) in the obese group and was 17.51 +/- 2.33 kg/m(2) in the control group. Mean plasma leptin concentration was significantly higher in the obese children. Homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly higher in the obese group. In contrast superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased in the obese group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in prepubertal obese children oxidative stress was increased and MDA and homocysteine levels were well correlated with serum leptin level and BMI. In contrast with the increase in oxidative stress, antioxidant activities of SOD and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in obese prepubertal children.

Nutritional and oxidative status in occupational obese subjects

“…Almost half the population, more frequently men than women, showed slightly or moderately elevated tHcy concentrations confirming the findings of other authors [6,9,10], who reported significantly higher tHcy levels in obese than in non-obese subjects.…”

“…Data on homocysteinaemia in obese subjects are conflicting, some studies indicating high [6,9,10] others normal serum Hcy concentrations in obesity [11,12].…”

Expression profiling based on coexpressed modules in obese prepubertal children

“…Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α levels are also significantly higher in obese children than those in controls. In contrast, antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and IL-2 are decreased (Aygun et al, 2005;Martos et al, 2006;Ustundag et al, 2007;Olza et al, 2010). However, high leptin levels in childhood obesity do not seem to be associated with altered complete blood count parameters or increased peripheral CD34(+) progenitor cell count (Kinik et al, 2005).…”

Decrease in Serum Protein Carbonyl Groups Concentration and Maintained Hyperhomocysteinemia in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

“…However, the results reporting serum homocysteine concentration in obese patients are conflicting. Some studies indicate higher [5,15,16], whereas other normal [17,18] serum homocysteine concentration in obese patients. Thus, this problem requires further elucidation.…”