Relationship between plasma leptin levels and lipid profiles among school children in Taiwan--the Taipei Children Heart Study

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnant Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The impact of vitamin D supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, metabolic status, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with overweight and obesity (OW/OB) is uncertain. This study aimed to examine whether administrating 800 IU of vitamin D3 orally would improve maternal serum 25OHD levels, lipid profile, and pregnancy outcomes compared to 400 IU. This was a two-arm, parallel, non-blinded randomised controlled trial involving 274 pregnant women recruited from KK Women's and Children's Hospital, with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 within 16 weeks gestation. The participants were randomly assigned to receive 800 IU/day (intervention group) or 400 IU/day (control group) of oral vitamin D3 supplements. The primary outcomes were maternal serum 25OHD and lipid levels at 24-28 weeks gestation. The secondary outcomes included maternal and birth outcomes. Compared with controls (n = 119), the intervention group (n = 112) exhibited higher 25OHD levels at 24-28 weeks gestation (adjusted mean difference 6.52 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval 2.74, 10.31). More women in the intervention group achieved sufficient 25OHD levels (77.7% vs. 55.5%; p < 0.001). No differences were observed in lipid profiles or maternal or birth outcomes between the groups. An additional 400 IU of oral vitamin D3 supplementation increased serum 25OHD levels but did not impact lipid profiles or pregnancy outcomes.

Sex differences in lipids: A life course approach

Differences between men and women in lipids and lipoproteins are observed in distribution and trajectory from infancy to adulthood in the general population. However, these differences are more pronounced in hereditary lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) when absolute cholesterol levels are higher from birth onwards. In the early life course, girls compared to boys have higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and total cholesterol, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are similar. In early adulthood to middle-age, women have lower LDL-C and higher HDL-C levels, as LDL-C levels increase and HDLC levels decrease in men. In the elderly, all lipids - total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride levels decrease but are more pronounced in men. Lipid levels are also affected by specific transitions in girls/women such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Lipid levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy a physiological increase of LDL-C and even a larger increase in triglyceride levels are observed. Pregnancy has a double impact on LDL-C accumulation in women with FH as they have to stop statins, and the absolute increase in LDL-C is higher than in women without FH. In the menopausal transition, women develop a more adverse lipid profile. Therefore, it is important to take into account both sex and the life course when assessing a lipid profile.

The Effect of Metabolic Profile on Leptin, Adiponectin, and hs-CRP in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Adipokines are a superfamily of cell signaling proteins produced by the adipose tissue. This study’s purpose was to reveal the association of adipokines (leptin, adiponectin), hs-CRP, and IL-6 with well-known cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profile, diabetes control, obesity, physical activity) in children and adolescents with T1D. This cross-sectional study included 80 participants (36 boys) with T1D, aged (mean ± SD) 14.8 ± 3.4 years. Body Mass Index (BMI), metabolic profile, and level of physical activity were assessed (using pedometers) for evaluation of their effect on serum leptin, adiponectin, IL-6, and hs-CRP. Leptin levels were associated with BMI (beta = 0.184, p < 0.001), waist to hip ratio (beta = −2.017, p = 0.022), Low Density Lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) (beta = 0.021, p = 0.005), and fat mass (beta = 14.07, p < 0.001). Adiponectin was correlated with waist to height ratio (beta = 0.048, p = 0.006), ΒΜΙ (beta = −0.056, p = 0.005), and muscle mass (beta = −0.013, p = 0.020). Interestingly, hs-CRP was associated with weight (beta = 0.035, p < 0.001), ΒΜI (beta = 0.186, p < 0.001), fat mass (beta = 5.2859, p = 0.004), and muscle mass (beta = 0.027, p = 0.008). Multiple regression analysis of muscle mass unveiled associations with log hs-CRP (beta = −1.237, p = 0.014) and inverse IL−6 (beta = 18.57, p = 0.01). Finally, multiple regression models of fat mass unveiled associations with physical activity (7-day-total-step-count) (beta = −3.90 × 10−7, p = 0.027), Inverse IL-6 (beta = −0.1572, p = 0.009), and squared leptin (beta = 0.0077, p = 0.03). This study reports a positive association of leptin with LDL-C, BMI, fat mass, and hip circumference and a negative association of adiponectin with BMI and muscle mass. Finally, hs-CRP was associated with HbA1c, fat mass, and BMI. We propose that leptin, adiponectin, and hs-CRP could be used as prognostic indicators of cardiovascular risk in children with T1D.

Canine extrahepatic biliary disease: what have we learned?

Extrahepatic biliary disease in dogs is commonly encountered in clinical practice worldwide. Diseases in this segment of the biliary tract are diverse and can manifest with mild clinical signs or can be life-threatening. In the last decade there have been advances in diagnostic tests, imaging modalities and therapeutic interventions as well as the identification of novel prognostic variables that could improve outcomes in dogs with extrahepatic biliary disease. Therefore, the objective of this review was to summarise clinically relevant updates of extrahepatic biliary disease in dogs.

Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background

The role of adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin in regulating the immunity has been documented, however data concerning their consequence on multiple sclerosis (MS) Egyptian patients are deficient. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in MS patients and to assess their association with disease disability and severity. A case–control study including 60 subjects (30 MS patients and 30 age, sex and body mass index-matched healthy controls) was performed.

Results

Serum leptin level was significantly higher among MS patients than controls (P < 0.001) while adiponectin was not significantly elevated in MS patients (P = 0.24). There was a significant positive correlation between leptin levels with MS disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale) (r = 0.678; P < 0.001), severity (Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score) (r = 0.631; P < 0.001) and progression (progression index) (r = 0.461; P = 0.01). There was no statistically significant correlation between adiponectin with disease disability, severity or progression.

Conclusions

MS patients had significantly higher serum leptin levels and insignificant adiponectin levels compared to controls. Leptin has a potential role in multiple sclerosis disability and severity. However, adiponectin is not useful as a biomarker of MS disease, disability and severity.

Association of leptin G2548A and leptin receptor Q223R polymorphisms and their serum levels with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

Adipokine leptin plays a crucial role in metabolic and reproductive functions. Leptin receptor has a soluble form that binds to leptin, thus modulating its level in the circulation. It has been indicated that the levels of leptin and leptin receptor and also LEP rs7799039 and LEPR rs1137101 polymorphisms are associated with metabolic disorders. In the present study, we assessed the levels of leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), and also the frequency of rs7799039 and rs1137101 polymorphisms in healthy fertile women and patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), inclusive of PCOS-infertile and PCOS-recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) subjects.

Methods

A total of 324 PCOS patients- including 199 infertile cases and 125 patients with a history of RPL- and 144 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Biochemical parameters and plasma leptin and sOB-R levels were measured by ELISA and the genotypes of rs7799039 and rs1137101 polymorphisms were determined using PCR- RFLP.

Results

Plasma leptin and sOB-R levels were significantly higher and lower in PCOS, PCOS-infertile and PCOS RPL groups, respectively. The GG genotype frequencies of rs7799039 and rs1137101 polymorphisms were significantly different between PCOS-infertile women and non-PCOS subjects (P = 0.043, OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.22–0.97, and P = 0.01, OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.12–0.75, respectively). Increased LEP levels were associated with the risk of PCOS and RPL in women with PCOS (P = 0.039, OR = 1.203, 95%CI = [1.009–1.435] and P = 0.012, OR = 1.267, 95% CI = [1.054–1.522], respectively).

Conclusion

Polymorphisms rs7799039 and rs1137101 and circulating leptin and sOB-R levels were associated with infertility in Iranian women with PCOS. Further studies are needed to reveal the role of leptin in PCOS pathogenesis.

Obesity-Related Changes in High-Density Lipoprotein Metabolism and Function

In obese individuals, atherogenic dyslipidemia is a very common and important factor in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adiposity-associated dyslipidemia is characterized by low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and an increase in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Several factors and mechanisms are involved in lowering HDL-C levels in the obese state and HDL quantity and quality is closely related to adiponectin levels and the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate. Recent studies have shown that obesity profoundly alters HDL metabolism, resulting in altered HDL subclass distribution, composition, and function. Importantly, weight loss through gastric bypass surgery and Mediterranean diet, especially when enriched with virgin olive oil, is associated with increased HDL-C levels and significantly improved metrics of HDL function. A thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms is crucial for a better understanding of the impact of obesity on lipoprotein metabolism and for the development of appropriate therapeutic approaches. The objective of this review article was to summarize the newly identified changes in the metabolism, composition, and function of HDL in obesity and to discuss possible pathophysiological consequences.

Association of Circulating Omentin-1 with Osteoporosis in a Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Population

Aims

Omentin-1, a newly identified adipokine, has been demonstrated to be associated with bone metabolism, but the results have been inconsistent. Moreover, the potential relationship of circulating omentin-1 with diabetic osteoporosis has never been reported. This study is intended for studying the association between circulating omentin-1, bone mineral density (BMD), prior fragility fractures, and other bone metabolic-related parameters.

Methods

Circulating omentin-1 levels were measured in 172 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and participants were divided into the normal BMD group (n = 52), the osteopenia group (n = 66), and the osteoporosis group (n = 54). The relationship between circulating omentin-1 and diabetic osteoporosis and other parameters was analyzed.

Results

Circulating omentin-1 was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than in the normal group and in the osteopenia group (both P < 0.05). Circulating omentin-1 levels were correlated significantly and positively with sex; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; apolipoprotein A; and prevalence of prior fragility fractures, diabetic nephropathy, and retinopathy; they were correlated negatively with diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, hemoglobin, atherogenic index of plasma, osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians, BMD at different skeletal sites, and corresponding T scores, irrespective of age, sex, and body mass index (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Moreover, circulating omentin-1 was an independent decisive factor for the presence of osteoporosis only in women after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio: 1.069; 95% confidence interval: 1.003-1.139; P < 0.05). Lastly, the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the best cutoff value for circulating omentin-1 to predict diabetic osteoporosis was 15.37 ng/mL (sensitivity: 71.7%; specificity: 58.5%) in female subjects.

Conclusions

High levels of circulating omentin-1 may be associated with the development of osteoporosis in female diabetic subjects and may be a potential biomarker for diabetic osteoporosis in women.

Determinants of Circulating Soluble Leptin Receptor and Free Leptin Index in Indonesian Pre-Pubertal Obese Male Children: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and metabolic determinants of circulating soluble leptin receptor (CSLR) and free leptin index (FLI) in pre-pubertal obese male children.

METHODS

We conducted a preliminary cross-sectional study at three tertiary hospitals and one public primary school. Eighty obese male children without growth and developmental abnormalities aged 5-9 years were recruited. In these children, obesity was solely caused by excessive food intake, and not by acute illness, medications, endocrine abnormalities, or any syndrome. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, carbohydrate intake, fat intake, high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, low density lipoprotein cholesterol level, triglyceride level, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance are the potential determinants for leptin regulation, which is represented by CSLR level and FLI.

RESULTS

Carbohydrate was the main source of energy. BMI and body fat mass had negative weak correlation with CSLR and positive weak correlation with FLI. Furthermore, carbohydrate intake was found to be independently associated with CSLR based on the results of the multiple linear regression analysis. Following an increase in carbohydrate intake, CSLR level decreased progressively without any negative peak.

CONCLUSION

Leptin regulation in prepubertal obese male children is associated with body composition and dietary intake. Carbohydrate intake is useful for predicting CSLR. Lipid profiles and insulin resistance are not related to both CSLR and FLI. Treatment and prevention of leptin resistance in obese children should focus on reducing BMI, fat mass, and carbohydrate intake.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-21, Leptin, and Adiponectin Responses to Acute Cold-Induced Brown Adipose Tissue Activation

BACKGROUND

Adipocyte-derived hormones play a role in insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. However, the relationship between circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adipocytokines and cold-induced supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (sBAT) activation is underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between cold-induced sBAT activity and plasma FGF21 and adipocytokines levels in healthy adults.

DESIGN

Nineteen healthy participants underwent energy expenditure (EE) and supraclavicular infrared thermography (IRT) within a whole-body calorimeter at baseline and at 2 hours post-cold exposure. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging scans were performed post-cold exposure. PET sBAT mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), MR supraclavicular fat fraction (sFF), anterior supraclavicular maximum temperature (Tscv max) and EE change (%) after cold exposure were used to quantify sBAT activity.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Plasma FGF21, leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) at baseline and 2 hours post-cold exposure. Body composition at baseline by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

RESULTS

Plasma FGF21 and adiponectin levels were significantly reduced after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects. Leptin concentration was significantly reduced in both BAT-positive and BAT-negative participants after cold exposure. Adiponectin concentration at baseline was positively strongly associated with sBAT PET SUV mean (coefficient, 3269; P = 0.01) and IRT Tscv max (coefficient, 6801; P  = 0.03), and inversely correlated with MR sFF (coefficient, -404; P  = 0.02) after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects.

CONCLUSION

Higher adiponectin concentrations at baseline indicate a greater cold-induced sBAT activity, which may be a novel predictor for sBAT activity in healthy BAT-positive adults.

HIGHLIGHTS

A higher adiponectin concentration at baseline was associated with higher cold-induced supraclavicular BAT PET SUV mean and IRT Tscv max, and lower MR supraclavicular FF. Adiponectin levels maybe a novel predictor for cold-induced sBAT activity.

Association between genetically determined leptin and blood lipids considering alcohol consumption: a Mendelian randomisation study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of genetically determined leptin with lipids.

DESIGN

We conducted a Mendelian randomisation study to assess a potential causal relationship between serum leptin and lipid levels. We also evaluated whether alcohol drinking modified the associations of genetically determined leptin with blood lipids.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

3860 participants of the Framingham Heart Study third generation cohort.

RESULTS

Both genetic risk scores (GRSs), the GRS generated using leptin loci independent of body mass index (BMI) and GRS generated using leptin loci dependent of BMI, were positively associated with log-transformed leptin (log-leptin). The BMI-independent leptin GRS was associated with log-transformed triglycerides (log-TG, β=-0.66, p=0.01), but not low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, p=0.99), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, p=0.44) or total cholesterol (TC, p=0.49). Instrumental variable estimation showed that per unit increase in genetically determined log-leptin was associated with 0.55 (95% CI: 0.05 to 1.00) units decrease in log-TG. Besides significant association with log-TG (β=-0.59, p=0.009), the BMI-dependent GRS was nominally associated with HDL-C (β=-10.67, p=0.09) and TC (β=-28.05, p=0.08). When stratified by drinking status, the BMI-dependent GRS was associated with reduced levels of LDL-C (p=0.03), log-TG (p=0.004) and TC (p=0.003) among non-current drinkers only. Significant interactions between the BMI-dependent GRS and alcohol drinking were identified for LDL-C (p=0.03), log-TG (p=0.03) and TC (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

These findings together indicated that genetically determined leptin was negatively associated with lipid levels and the association may be modified by alcohol consumption.

The association of obesity and serum leptin levels with complete blood count and some serum biochemical parameters in Iranian overweight and obese individuals

Background: Obesity has been suggested to be well correlated with altered levels of complete blood count (CBC) parameters. In this study, the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and circulating leptin levels with CBC among obese and overweight adults was examined.

Methods: CBC and biochemical parameters, WBC and hematological profiles, leptin levels, related factors to liver, and kidney and lipid profiles were measured among 184 obese and overweight people aged 18–60 years. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. To assess the normality of data, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used. Logarithmic transformation was performed for some variables with non-normal distribution. The association between 2 quantitative variables was measured using bivariate correlation (Pearson or Spearman). Pearson correlations and multiple regression analysis were performed to assess the correlation between variables. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed to predict some variables. P- value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Hematocrit, insulin, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and ALT were positively correlated with BMI (p=0.041, r=0.149 for hematocrit; p≤0.001, r=0.520 for insulin; p≤0.001, r=0.363 for FBS; p≤0.001, r=0.309 for uric acid; p=0.015, r=0.189 for TG; p=0.030, r=161 for LDL-C; p=0.019, r=0.181 for VLDL-C; p≤0.001, r=0.299 for ALT), whereas urea and HDL-C were negatively correlated with BMI (p≤0.001, r=-0.368 for urea; p≤0.001, r=-0.297 for HDL-C). Moreover, LDL-C and insulin were positively correlated with leptin (P = 0.011, r = 0.194 for LDL-C, P = 0.013, r = 0.114 for insulin) and hematocrit, urea, creatinine, TG and VLDL-C were negatively correlated with leptin (p=0.040, r=-0.162 for hematocrit; p≤0.001, r=-0.305 for urea; p=0.007, r=-0.219 for creatinine; p=0.025, r=0.188 for TG; p=0.007, r=-0.218 for VLDL-C). Our analysis showed that white blood cell was positively correlated with leptin (β=17.36, p=0.048). Also, other CBC parameters had no significant correlations with BMI and leptin.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, BMI had a negative association with urea and HDL-C, while BMI had a positive association with insulin, hematocrit, FBS, uric acid, TG, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and ALT. Furthermore, leptin had a negative association with hematocrit, creatinine, and urea, TG, VLDL-C and a positive association with LDL-C and insulin among the participants of this study.

Leptin mediates the relationship between fat mass and blood pressure: The Hamamatsu School-based health study

Animal studies have shown that leptin mediates the association between obesity and hypertension. However, only a few studies have assessed this relationship in population-based epidemiological studies. This study aimed to determine whether leptin mediates the relationship between body fat and blood pressure in school-aged children.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among school-aged children in Hamamatsu, Japan. Body fat was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Height-normalized index of fat mass (fat mass index) was calculated by dividing fat mass by height squared. Serum leptin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate relationships between body fat, serum leptin levels, and blood pressure. The mediating effect of leptin on the association between body fat and blood pressure was assessed by causal mediation analysis and regression analysis.Both fat mass index and leptin were significantly and positively associated with blood pressure. Fat mass index was also strongly associated with serum leptin levels. Body fat and blood pressure were no longer associated after adjusting for leptin. These findings suggest that the association between body fat and blood pressure is mediated by leptin. Of the total effect of fat mass index on blood pressure, the mediating effect of leptin accounted for 78.6% (P = .03) in boys and 42.2% (P = .11) in girls.Our findings suggest that body fat is associated with blood pressure, and this association is mediated by leptin. Thus, leptin acts as a mediator that links body adiposity with blood pressure elevation in school-aged children.

Gastrointestinal factors regulating lipid droplet formation in the intestine

Cytoplasmic lipid droplets (CLD) are considered as neutral lipid reservoirs, which protect cells from lipotoxicity. It became clear that these fascinating dynamic organelles play a role not only in energy storage and metabolism, but also in cellular lipid and protein handling, inter-organelle communication, and signaling among diverse functions. Their dysregulation is associated with multiple disorders, including obesity, liver steatosis and cardiovascular diseases. The central aim of this review is to highlight the link between intra-enterocyte CLD dynamics and the formation of chylomicrons, the main intestinal dietary lipid vehicle, after overviewing the morphology, molecular composition, biogenesis and functions of CLD.

Enteric parasites can disturb leptin and adiponectin levels in children

INTRODUCTION

Infection by intestinal parasites in childhood may be the main cause of many health-related problems in developed countries such as anemia, anorexia, loss of appetite, retarded growth and development. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different intestinal parasites on white adipose tissue hormones.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty-one children infected by different parasites and 35 apparently healthy children were enrolled in this study. All patients and controls were subjected to clinical examination, measurement of body mass index (BMI) and laboratory examination.

RESULTS

For BMI percentiles, there was a significant increase in serum leptin level (p = 0.042) and a significant decrease in serum adiponectin level (p = 0.039) in uninfected children, whereas there were no significant changes in the infected group (p = 0.068 and 0.082 respectively). A significant increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin levels were observed for E. histolytica, Strongyloides and E. histolytica and Giardia infections compared to the control group (p = 0.047, 0.035 and 0.019 for leptin, and p = 0.025, 0.038 and 0.041 for adiponectin, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The infection by some intestinal parasites may deregulate the secretion of leptin and adiponectin and also affect the absorption of some nutrients which can disturb the BMI and cause anorexia.

Fat and carbohydrate content in the diet induces drastic changes in gene expression in young Göttingen minipigs

In human health, there is interest in developing specific diets to reduce body weight. These studies are mainly focused on phenotypic changes induced in blood measurements, i.e., triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and insulin, and on physical changes, i.e., body weight and BMI. To evaluate the biological impact of diet interventions, it is very important to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving the diet-induced phenotypic changes in relevant tissues. However, studying these effects in humans is difficult due to ethical concerns in doing interventions and obtaining tissue samples and good animal models are therefore needed. Göttingen minipigs, a small size obesity prone pig breed, have previously been shown to be a useful translational animal model for metabolic studies. In this study, 16 Göttingen minipig males (2-month old) were submitted to 13 weeks of differential diets to investigate the initial stages of diet-induced metabolic changes. Half of them were fed a high-fat/cholesterol, low-carbohydrate (HFLC) diet, and the other half were fed a low- fat/cholesterol, high-carbohydrate (LFHC) diet. After 13 weeks, the HFLC group weighted less and had dyslipidemia compared to the LFHC group. Liver, pancreas, and adipose tissues were collected at slaughter. Gene expression profiling of 83 metabolism-relevant genes was performed using high-throughput qPCR. In total, 41 genes were deregulated in at least one of the five tissues analyzed, with liver being the most drastically affected tissue. The new knowledge gained in this study could potentially be of value for considering direct modulation of gene expression by nutrient content in the diet.

Assessment of Various Biochemical Parameters and BMI in Patients with Skin Tags

INTRODCTION

Acrochordon or fibroepithelial polyp, commonly known as Skin tags (STs) are one of the most common benign skin condition, consisting of skin projecting from the surrounding skin, usually occurring on the eyelids, neck and axillae. Studies have found an association of STs with conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and atherogenic lipid profile. Abdominal obesity and the consequent insulin resistance are said be important contributing factors for diabetes, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease.

AIM

To highlight the association of lipid profile, BMI, glucose, HbA1c and leptin levels in patients with STs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a case control study conducted at tertiary care hospital in South India from April 2013 to May 2014. The cases were chosen those who are having minimum of 3 STs attending the dermatology clinic. A total of 171 patients were screened, out of which 126 satisfied the criteria for inclusion and were included in the final analysis. The significance of the difference between the groups was assessed by Student t-test (two tailed, independent) to find the significance on continuous scale between two groups on metric parameters, between cases and controls and p-value of <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Maximum cases were in males and in age group of 41-50 years. There was significant association between STs and triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and leptin levels. Other parameters were also altered but no statistically significant difference was seen.

CONCLUSION

STs are associated with change in markers of obesity and dyslipidaemia. Patients with STs need suitable interventions like weight reduction, smoking cessation, change in dietary habits. STs may also play a role in early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Relationship of high leptin levels with an adverse lipid and insulin profile in 6-8 year-old children in Spain

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Leptin, an adipokine elevated in obesity, may be related to an adverse cardiovascular risk profile in childhood. However, evidence for this relationship in pre-pubertal children is scarce. We aimed to analyze the relationship between leptin levels and lipid and insulin profiles in Spanish children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Our population-based sample included 389 males and 369 females aged 6-8 years. Lipid levels were determined by standard methods, insulin by radioimmunoassay and leptin by sandwich ELISA. Leptin levels were higher in girls (8.6 ng/ml) than boys (4.7 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). Leptin increased from ages 6 to 8 in girls, but remained steady in boys. In both sexes, leptin increased significantly (p < 0.001) across weight category from normal weight to obese. Children in the highest tertile of leptin concentration showed significantly (p < 0.01) lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein-AI (apo-AI) and significantly higher triglyceride (TG) levels than children in lower tertiles. However, in linear regression analysis, after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), leptin only accounted for 1.5% of the variance of HDL-C in boys, and 2.6% of the variance of apo-AI in girls. Leptin was strongly and positively correlated with insulin and HOMA. Upon regression analysis, leptin contributed to over 20% of the variability in insulin and HOMA, independent of BMI.

CONCLUSION

Leptin levels show sex differences in pre-pubertal children. In this age group, leptin levels are strongly related to insulin, and affect lipid profile -namely HDL-C, apo-AI and TG- particularly when leptin levels are high.

BMI, body fat mass and plasma leptin level in relation to cardiovascular diseases risk factors among adolescents in Taitung

BACKGROUND

To investigate the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases and its relation to BMI, body fat mass and plasma leptin level among adolescents in Taitung, Taiwan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional Taitung Children Heart Study for 500 young adolescents between ages 13 and 15 was conducted. Gender-specific regression models were used to determine the associations between BMI, percentage of body fat mass, plasma leptin level and seven CVDs risk factors (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) before and after adjusting for weight status and age.

RESULTS

After adjusting for weight status and age, BMI was positively associated with systolic BP, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol levels but negatively associated with HDL-cholesterol level in boys while positively associated with systolic and diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and LDL-cholesterol level in girls. The percentage of body fat mass was positively associated with triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in boys while positively associated with systolic BP, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in girls. Plasma leptin was positively associated with triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in boys but no statistically significant associations with CVDs risk factors in girls. A strong relationship between the percentage of body fat mass and plasma leptin appeared among all participants (r=0.59, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI, body fat mass and plasma leptin level may be used to identify certain CVDs risk factors among Taitung adolescents. Future researches could consider measuring body fat mass in the relationship of CVDs risk factors instead of plasma leptin among young adolescents.

Hypertension-susceptibility gene prevalence in the Pacific Islands and associations with hypertension in Melanesia

Human essential hypertension is partly caused by genetic factors. Angiotensinogen (AGT), G-protein β3-subunit (GNB3) and cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) are candidate hypertension susceptibility genes and risk alleles at these loci have been thought to arise owing to human adaptation to climatic changes following the migration out-of-Africa. This study aimed to reveal the frequencies of hypertension-susceptibility genotypes in Pacific Island populations and associations of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to hypertension. Genotyping was conducted for 804 individuals from Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian populations at SNPs in the genes encoding AGT (rs699, rs5049 and rs5051), GNB3 (rs5443) and CYP3A5*1/*3 (rs776746). Associations between these SNPs and hypertension were tested for 383 Melanesian Solomon Islanders. We found that the A/A genotype at rs5049 was a risk factor for hypertension (P=0.025) in the Melanesian Solomon Islanders; three SNPs for AGT were in linkage disequilibrium. The ancestral alleles of rs699, rs5051 and rs776746, and the derived allele of rs5443 were as frequent in the populations surveyed here as in other equatorial populations. Although other polymorphisms associated with hypertension and additional populations remain to be studied, these findings suggest that the Pacific Islanders' susceptibility to hypertension arose because of human migration and adaptation.

Influence of interleukin-6 and G174C polymorphism in IL-6 gene on obesity and energy balance

Obesity is a multifactor disease with a very complicated etiology. Genetic factors play an important role in the development of primary obesity. They may be responsible for up to 40% of causes leading to obesity. There are a great number of genes affecting food intake and energy expenditure. Serious consequences accompanying obesity, e.g., type 2 diabetes and lipid abnormalities may be caused by increased level of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. It is possible that polymorphisms located in cytokine genes affect the level of protein expression. It is known that IL-6 plays a role in lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. The polymorphism found in point 174 (G174C) of a promoter region of IL-6 gene affects the level of interleukin-6 expression and, consequently, may lead to obesity and correlated conditions.

Comparison between serum insulin levels and its resistance with biochemical, clinical and anthropometric parameters in South Indian children and adolescents

There is a rising trend in the prevalence of insulin resistance among obese, overweight children and adolescents. The serum insulin and its correlation with biochemical, clinical and anthropometric parameters were evaluated in 185 children and adolescents (59 control, 52 obese, 49 overweight, 25 congenital heart disease) of age group 10-17 years. The levels of serum insulin were measured by ELISA. Serum insulin levels were found to be significantly increased in children who were obese, overweight and had congenital heart disease, than controls. Serum insulin levels positively correlated with BMI, WHR, and serum C-peptide, serum leptin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Fasting glucose levels were found to be negatively correlated with serum insulin levels. HDL-cholesterol levels were non-significant among the study groups. We identified nine obese children (five girls and four boys) with the features of metabolic syndrome and 69% of obese and overweight children were identified with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and its components, especially with central obesity and hypertriglyceridemia.

Serum leptin, atherogenic lipids and glucose levels in patients with skin tags

Aim:

To investigate the relationship between serum leptin, atherogenic lipid and glucose levels in patients with skin tags and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 58 patients, with at least three skin tags, aged 24 to 85 years, and 31 healthy controls aged 30 to 70 years, were examined in the present study. The subjects in all the groups were selected with statistically similar Body Mass Index (BMI). Fasting concentrations of plasma glucose, serum lipids including triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), HbA1c, and leptin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, serum LDL level was calculated using Friedewald's formula.

Results:

There was no significant difference in age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, triglyceride, HDL and leptin levels between the groups. Skin tags group showed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, when compared with the healthy controls groups (P < 0.01). In addition, regression analysis showed that leptin level was positively correlated to serum triglyceride level (r = 0.265, P = 0.044).

Conclusion:

Total cholesterol and LDL serum levels should be controlled in patients with skin tags. On the other hand, glucose, leptin and HbA1c serum levels may not be as important as is being considered in recent times.

Clinical and biochemical parameters in relation to serum leptin levels in South Indian children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between serum leptin and lipid profile in South Indian School children and adolescents, and to evaluate the role of serum leptin in obese, overweight and congenital heart diseased children and adolescents; in South Indian population and its correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

METHODS

The study included 185 school going children and adolescents. (52 obese, 49 overweight, 25 congenital heart disease children and adolescents, were compared with 59 normal controls, aged between 10-17 years). Anthropometric variables, lipid profile, fasting serum glucose were analyzed by autoanalyser and serum leptin by ELISA.

RESULTS

Serum leptin levels were significantly elevated in obese and overweight children than in control children (36.88+/-18.60ng/mL, 20.64+/-11.18ng/mL vs 7.97+/-2.79ng/mL; p value <0.001), and decreased in congenital heart diseased children than in control children (6.20+/-4.23 ng/mL vs 7.97+/-2.79ng/mL; p value <0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a good relationship between serum leptin levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters, such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. We observed negative correlation between serum leptin and fasting glucose levels and HDL-cholesterol levels were found to be non-significant among the groups. Further studies with large sample size are needed to ascertain the relationship between serum leptin and lipid profile in different groups of children and adolescents.

Impact of a CART promoter genetic variation on plasma lipid profile in a general population

The cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), an anorexigenic peptide responding to leptin, is expressed in various areas of the hypothalamus. The role of CART in humans and its potential contribution to abnormalities in feeding control are mostly unknown. Since CART plays an important role in the hypothalamic regulation of energy balance by reducing food intake and increasing lipid substrate utilization, it might affect cholesterol metabolism as Neuropeptide Y or pro-opiomelanocortin do. In the present work, we studied the potential effects of three SNPs of the CART promoter in a WHO-MONICA general population from North of France (n=840), untreated for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus since any treatment is likely to interfere with lipoprotein/lipid variables. Our results show associations between these SNPs and plasma LDL-cholesterol level and the LDL/HDL ratio, a marker of atherogenicity. A haplotypic study suggests that these effects are mainly attributable to the functional SNP -3608C>T. Subjects bearing the -3608 C allele present a plasma lipid profile protective against atherogenesis: decrease of plasma LDL-cholesterol level (p=0.001) and of the LDL/HDL ratio (p=0.0003). This result offers new evidences for a potential implication of the CART gene in lipid metabolism and in atherogenesis.

Leptin in a lean population of Filipino adolescents

To clarify the role of leptin as a signal of energy status in humans, this study investigated the relationship of leptin to measures of body composition, maturity, and lifestyle factors in a lean sample of 293 male and 303 female Filipino adolescents (age 14-16 years). Participants were selected from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, a representative birth cohort study begun in 1983. Using IOTF criteria, the prevalence of overweight (2.2%) and obesity (0.3%) were extremely low, and leptin levels were among the lowest reported in any healthy population (mean: 0.78 and 3.57 ng/dl in males and females). As expected, adiposity was the strongest predictor of leptin, with triceps skinfold explaining 40.2 and 30.6% of leptin variance in males and females. In females, subscapular skinfold was a significant predictor of leptin independent of triceps, while no anthropometric measure predicted leptin independent of triceps in males. There were few relationships between lifestyle factors and leptin independent of adiposity. In males, leptin levels varied little across most of the triceps distribution, suggesting that the leptin-adipose regulatory system is sensitive to very small changes in leptin in lean populations, at least among males. These findings add to the small but growing list of studies documenting differences in leptin biology among chronically lean populations.

Correlation of plasma leptin and adiponectin with insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in children - the Taipei Children Heart Study

To investigate the association between plasma leptin and adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in children, 580 school children (294 boys and 286 girls) with mean age of 13.3 years (12-16 years) were randomly selected from the Taipei Children Heart Study. Baseline measurements included body weight, body mass index (BMI), plasma glucose, insulin, proinsulin, leptin and adiponectin levels. Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were assessed using the method of homeostatic model, HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta, respectively. We found that girls had higher levels of plasma leptin, adiponectin and HOMA-beta than boys. There was no significant difference in HOMA-IR between boys and girls. Plasma leptin concentrations were positively correlated with body weight, BMI, insulin and proinsulin concentrations, HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta, whereas plasma adiponectin levels were inversely associated with body weight, BMI and proinsulin levels in both sexes. In girls, adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with insulin concentration and HOMA-IR. In multiple regression analyses, plasma leptin was more positively associated with insulin and proinsulin levels, HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta than was adiponectin in boys. This association persisted even after adjusting for body weight, BMI and pubertal status. In conclusion, plasma leptin was more strongly associated with insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function than was adiponectin among children, particularly in boys.

Atorvastatin reduces serum leptin concentration in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

BACKGROUND

Leptin may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. We evaluated the effect of atorvastatin on leptin secretion in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Sixteen rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) high cholesterol diet for 6 weeks (n=8), and (2) the same cholesterol diet plus atorvastatin (2.5 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks (n=8). A control group (n=5) was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose was collected for RNA analysis. The direct effect of atorvastatin on leptin release was assayed in primary rabbit adipocytes. Leptin levels in serum and adipocytes culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to evaluate leptin mRNA expressions in adipose and adipocytes.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet showed higher levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and leptin, all of which were significantly reduced by atorvastatin treatment. Leptin mRNA expression of adipose was significant lower in rabbits treated with atorvastatin than those fed with high cholesterol diet continuously (0.81+/-0.31 vs. 1.23+/-0.36, P<0.05). Atorvastatin dose-dependently inhibited leptin secretion and mRNA expression in cultured adipocytes.

CONCLUSION

Atorvastatin can inhibit leptin release and mRNA expression, and reduces serum leptin level in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Serum and urine leptin concentration in children with nephrotic syndrome

Literature data point to the relationship between leptin concentration and certain markers of the metabolic syndrome, including cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoproteins. A substantial lipid metabolism disturbance occurs in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). The aim of the study was to find out whether in NS children, serum and urine leptin levels change proportionally to lipid metabolism disturbances. The study was performed on two groups: (I) 30 children with NS (A) before, (B) during, prednisone therapy after proteinuria regression; (II) 25 healthy children. Serum and urine leptin levels were determined by the immunoenzymatic ELISA method. Serum leptin level in NS children before and after treatment was similar to that in the control group (p>0.05). Leptin urinary excretion in group A was approximately 60 times and in group B 24 times higher than in the controls (p<0.01). Before treatment, children with NS had increased concentrations of TC, TG, LDL, beta-lipoprotein, apolipoprotein B (apo B) (p<0.01) and reduced HDL and apolipoprotein A (apo A) (p<0.01). The conclusions were that: (1) in NS children leptin urinary excretion increases but its level is unchanged in serum; (2) serum leptin level is correlated with lipid parameters.