Relationship between insulin resistance and adipocytokines: the mediator role of adiposity in children

Abstract

Background: Leptin and adiponectin interact with each other in the modulation of obesity and insulin resistance (IR) and it is also important to consider the role of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in these relationships. Aim: To analyse the relationship between IR with adipocytokines in children, and to test the mediation effect of %BF (percentage of body fat) in the association of IR with leptin, adiponectin, and L/A ratio. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study comprised a sample of 150 schoolchildren, aged 6-11 years, from school in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The following variables were evaluated: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF), percentage of body fat (%BF), and biochemical variables (leptin, adiponectin, glucose, and insulin). Results: IR was associated with leptin and L/A ratio, after adjustments for age, sex, sexual maturation, and CRF. When adjusted for age, sex, sexual maturation, and MF, an association was found between IR with leptin and L/A ratio. Moreover, %BF was a mediator in the association between IR and leptin, as well as IR and L/A ratio, explaining 54% and 57% of these associations, respectively. Conclusion: Leptin and L/A ratio are positively associated with IR after adjustments. Also, %BF is a mediator in the associations between IR and leptin and L/A ratio.

Obesity Risk Assessment Tool for Low-Income Spanish Speaking Immigrant Parents with Young Children: Validity with BMI and Biomarkers of Obesity

“…Both biomarkers were lower in children with overweight and obesity in our study, while leptin levels were elevated. These 2 conditions (high leptin and low adiponectin) appear to be important markers of body fat and of comorbidity risk in children [12,16,66]. Overall, our results support that these selected biomarkers were sensitive to obesogenic behaviors and likely reflect body visceral fat accumulation.…”

“…In children, high levels of leptin and insulin are often associated with low levels of adiponectin and high levels of resistin, as obesity is a condition that modulates the secretion of both adipokines, which exacerbates insulin resistance [14,15]. Hence, the leptin to adiponectin ratio is a better marker of body fat and of comorbidity risk in children [12,16]. In addition to antagonizing the action of insulin, resistin is an inflammatory molecule that promotes inflammation and inflammatory diseases [17].…”

Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance Is Mediated by High Uric Acid in Obese Children and Adolescents

“…A previous study suggested that leptin and adiponectin could modulate the relationship between obesity and IR ( 24 ). Other studies also showed a positive association between leptin and IR after controlling for potential confounding factors in children and adolescents ( 22 , 25 ). Thus, these studies could indicate that adipocytokines are the direct pathway of obesity-insulin resistance.…”

“…However, the mechanisms of obesity leading to IR are not fully understood to date. There has been growing evidence suggesting that IR is induced through chronic low-grade inflammation, which is promoted by adipocytokines (21)(22)(23). A previous study suggested that leptin and adiponectin could modulate the relationship between obesity and IR (24).…”

The review of the relationship between UCP2 and obesity: Focusing on inflammatory-obesity

“…Decreased adiponectin from adipocytes plays an important role in obesity-related diseases [86,87] due to insulin-sensitizing, anti-in lammatory effects, and decreases body weight [88]. Zhou, et al suggest adiponectin stimulates Mitochondrial superoxide production that promotes UCP2 expressions in mice liver [89].…”