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Augsburger P, Liimatta J, Flück CE. Update on Adrenarche-Still a Mystery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1403-1422. [PMID: 38181424 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenarche marks the timepoint of human adrenal development when the cortex starts secreting androgens in increasing amounts, in healthy children at age 8-9 years, with premature adrenarche (PA) earlier. Because the molecular regulation and significance of adrenarche are unknown, this prepubertal event is characterized descriptively, and PA is a diagnosis by exclusion with unclear long-term consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched the literature of the past 5 years, including original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, using search terms adrenarche, pubarche, DHEAS, steroidogenesis, adrenal, and zona reticularis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Numerous studies addressed different topics of adrenarche and PA. Although basic studies on human adrenal development, zonation, and zona reticularis function enhanced our knowledge, the exact mechanism leading to adrenarche remains unsolved. Many regulators seem involved. A promising marker of adrenarche (11-ketotestosterone) was found in the 11-oxy androgen pathway. By current definition, the prevalence of PA can be as high as 9% to 23% in girls and 2% to 10% in boys, but only a subset of these children might face related adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSION New criteria for defining adrenarche and PA are needed to identify children at risk for later disease and to spare children with a normal variation. Further research is therefore required to understand adrenarche. Prospective, long-term studies should characterize prenatal or early postnatal developmental pathways that modulate trajectories of birth size, early postnatal growth, childhood overweight/obesity, adrenarche and puberty onset, and lead to abnormal sexual maturation, fertility, and other adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Augsburger
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jani Liimatta
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Kuopio Pediatric Research Unit (KuPRU), University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Christa E Flück
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Braun LT, Osswald A, Zopp S, Rubinstein G, Vogel F, Riester A, Honegger J, Eisenhofer G, Constantinescu G, Deutschbein T, Quinkler M, Elbelt U, Künzel H, Nowotny HF, Reisch N, Hartmann MF, Beuschlein F, Pons-Kühnemann J, Reincke M, Wudy SA. Delineating endogenous Cushing's syndrome by GC-MS urinary steroid metabotyping. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104907. [PMID: 38128413 PMCID: PMC10776922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosing Cushing's syndrome (CS) is highly complex. As the diagnostic potential of urinary steroid metabolome analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in combination with systems biology has not yet been fully exploited, we studied a large cohort of patients with CS. METHODS We quantified daily urinary excretion rates of 36 steroid hormone metabolites. Applying cluster analysis, we investigated a control group and 168 patients: 44 with Cushing's disease (CD) (70% female), 18 with unilateral cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma (83% female), 13 with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) (77% female), and 93 ruled-out CS (73% female). FINDINGS Cluster-Analysis delineated five urinary steroid metabotypes in CS. Metabotypes 1, 2 and 3 revealing average levels of cortisol and adrenal androgen metabolites included patients with exclusion of CS or and healthy controls. Metabotype 4 reflecting moderately elevated cortisol metabolites but decreased DHEA metabolites characterized the patients with unilateral adrenal CS and PBMAH. Metabotype 5 showing strong increases both in cortisol and DHEA metabolites, as well as overloaded enzymes of cortisol inactivation, was characteristic of CD patients. 11-oxygenated androgens were elevated in all patients with CS. The biomarkers THS, F, THF/THE, and (An + Et)/(11β-OH-An + 11β-OH-Et) correctly classified 97% of patients with CS and 95% of those without CS. An inverse relationship between 11-deoxygenated and 11-oxygenated androgens was typical for the ACTH independent (adrenal) forms of CS with an accuracy of 95%. INTERPRETATION GC-MS based urinary steroid metabotyping allows excellent identification of patients with endogenous CS and differentiation of its subtypes. FUNDING The study was funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung and the Eva-Luise-und-Horst-Köhler-Stiftung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah T Braun
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Andrea Osswald
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Stephanie Zopp
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - German Rubinstein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Frederick Vogel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Anna Riester
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Jürgen Honegger
- Department for Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Graeme Eisenhofer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany; Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Georgiana Constantinescu
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Timo Deutschbein
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Str. 6, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Medicover Oldenburg MVZ, Elisenstr. 12, Oldenburg 26122, Germany
| | - Marcus Quinkler
- Endocrinology in Charlottenburg, Stuttgarter Platz 1, Berlin 10627, Germany
| | - Ulf Elbelt
- Division of Medicine B, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, Neuruppin 16816, Germany; Endokrinologikum Berlin MVZ, Friedrichstraße 76, Berlin 10117, Germany; Medical Department, Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin 12203, Germany
| | - Heike Künzel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Hanna F Nowotny
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analysis in Pediatric Endocrinology, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Feulgenstr. 10-12, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany; Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Universitäts-Spital Zürich (USZ) und Universität Zürich (UZH), Raemistrasse 100, Zürich CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Jörn Pons-Kühnemann
- Medical Statistics, Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 6, Giessen D-35392, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analysis in Pediatric Endocrinology, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Feulgenstr. 10-12, Giessen 35392, Germany.
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Ge Y, Liu M, Deng X, Liao L. Derivatization-Enhanced Analysis of Glucocorticoids for Structural Characterization by Gas Chromatography-Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Molecules 2023; 29:200. [PMID: 38202782 PMCID: PMC10780989 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are classified in section S9 of the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency, due to a potential risk to improving physical performance and causing harm to the health of athletes. Based on the similar physiological actions of glucocorticoids, both differentiating known glucocorticoids and identifying unknown glucocorticoids are important for doping control. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry plays an important role in structural characterization because of abundant structural diagnostic ions produced by electron ionization. It also provides a chance to study the fragmentation patterns. Thus, an enhanced derivatization procedure was optimized to produce trimethylsilylated glucocorticoids and structural diagnostic ions of nineteen trimethylsilylated glucocorticoids were obtained by gas chromatography-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. In our study, glucocorticoids were classified as: 3-keto-4-ene, 1,4-diene-3-keto, 3α-hydroxy with saturated A-ring, 21-hydroxy-20-keto and halo substituent glucocorticoids based on their structural difference. Structural diagnostic ions that contributed to structural characterization were specifically presented and the fragment patterns were demonstrated according to the above categories. This study not only gave new insights into the structural characterization of these glucocorticoids but also provided evidence for tracing unknown glucocorticoids or chemically modified molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lei Liao
- Shanghai Anti-Doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.G.); (M.L.)
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Nakao H, Yokomoto-Umakoshi M, Nakatani K, Umakoshi H, Ogata M, Fukumoto T, Kaneko H, Iwahashi N, Fujita M, Ogasawara T, Matsuda Y, Sakamoto R, Izumi Y, Bamba T, Ogawa Y. Adrenal steroid metabolites and bone status in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and hypercortisolism. EBioMedicine 2023; 95:104733. [PMID: 37543511 PMCID: PMC10505782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS), resulting from cortisol-producing adenomas (CPA), causes endogenous steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIOP). However, the risk of endogenous SIOP cannot be explained by cortisol excess alone, and how other steroid metabolites affect bone status is unclear. METHODS ACS was diagnosed as serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dL after the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST-cortisol). Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, 21 plasma steroid metabolites were measured in 73 patients with ACS and 85 patients with non-functioning adrenal tumors (NFAT). Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and relevant steroid metabolites were analyzed in some of CPA tissues. FINDINGS Discriminant and principal component analyses distinguished steroid profiles between the ACS and NFAT groups in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women with ACS exhibited higher levels of a mineralocorticoid metabolite, 11-deoxycorticosterone (11-DOC), and lower levels of androgen metabolites, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, and androsterone-glucuronide. In premenopausal women with ACS, DST-cortisol negatively correlated with trabecular bone score (TBS). Additionally, 11-DOC negatively correlated with lumbar spine-bone mineral density, whereas androsterone-glucuronide positively correlated with TBS. The CPA tissues showed increased 11-DOC levels with increased expression of CYP21A2, essential for 11-DOC synthesis. Adrenal non-tumor tissues were atrophied with reduced expression of CYB5A, required for androgen synthesis. INTERPRETATION This study demonstrates that unbalanced production of adrenal steroid metabolites, derived from both adrenal tumor and non-tumor tissues, contributes to the pathogenesis of endogenous SIOP in premenopausal women with ACS. FUNDING JSPS KAKENHI, Secom Science and Technology Foundation, Takeda Science Foundation, Japan Foundation for Applied Enzymology, AMED-CREST, JSTA-STEP, JST-Moonshot, and Ono Medical Research Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nakao
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Maki Yokomoto-Umakoshi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Kohta Nakatani
- Division of Metabolomics/Mass Spectrometry Center, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hironobu Umakoshi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ogata
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tazuru Fukumoto
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kaneko
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norifusa Iwahashi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masamichi Fujita
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Ogasawara
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yayoi Matsuda
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Izumi
- Division of Metabolomics/Mass Spectrometry Center, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Bamba
- Division of Metabolomics/Mass Spectrometry Center, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Wu ZP, Wei W, Cheng Y, Chen JY, Liu Y, Liu S, Hu MD, Zhao H, Li XF, Chen X. Altered adolescents obesity metabolism is associated with hypertension: a UPLC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1172290. [PMID: 37229452 PMCID: PMC10203610 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1172290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to explore the relationship between the plasma metabolites of adolescent obesity and hypertension and whether metabolite alterations had a mediating effort between adolescent obesity and hypertension. Methods We applied untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) to detect the plasma metabolomic profiles of 105 adolescents. All participants were selected randomly based on a previous cross-sectional study. An orthogonal partial least squares- discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), followed by univariate statistics and enrichment analysis, was used to identify differential metabolites. Using logistic regression for variable selection, an obesity-related metabolite score (OMS, OMS=∑k=1nβnmetabolite n) was constructed from the metabolites identified, and hypertension risk was estimated. Results In our study, based on P< 0.05, variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1.0, and impact value > 0.1, we identified a total of 12 differential metabolites. Significantly altered metabolic pathways were the sphingolipid metabolism, purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine biosynthesis. The logistic regression selection resulted in a four-metabolite score (thymidine, sphingomyelin (SM) d40:1, 4-hydroxyestradiol, and L-lysinamide), which was positively associated with hypertension risk (odds ratio: 7.79; 95% confidence interval: 2.13, 28.47; for the quintile 4 compared with quartile 1 of OMS) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions The OMS constructed from four differential metabolites was used to predict the risk of hypertension in adolescents. These findings could provide sensitive biomarkers for the early recognition of hypertension in adolescents with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jing-Yi Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Health Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Meng-Die Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Su KJ, Chen XY, Gong R, Zhao Q, Hu SD, Feng MC, Li Y, Lin X, Zhang YH, Greenbaum J, Tian Q, Shen H, Xiao HM, Shen J, Deng HW. Systematic metabolomic studies identified adult adiposity biomarkers with acetylglycine associated with fat loss in vivo. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1166333. [PMID: 37122566 PMCID: PMC10141311 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1166333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with various adverse health outcomes. Body fat (BF) distribution is recognized as an important factor of negative health consequences of obesity. Although metabolomics studies, mainly focused on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, have explored the biological mechanisms involved in the development of obesity, these proxy composite measures are not accurate and cannot reflect BF distribution, and thus may hinder accurate assessment of metabolic alterations and differential risk of metabolic disorders among individuals presenting adiposity differently throughout the body. Thus, the exact relations between metabolites and BF remain to be elucidated. Here, we aim to examine the associations of metabolites and metabolic pathways with BF traits which reflect BF distribution. We performed systematic untargeted serum metabolite profiling and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole body fat scan for 517 Chinese women. We jointly analyzed DXA-derived four BF phenotypes to detect cross-phenotype metabolite associations and to prioritize important metabolomic factors. Topology-based pathway analysis was used to identify important BF-related biological processes. Finally, we explored the relationships of the identified BF-related candidate metabolites with BF traits in different sex and ethnicity through two independent cohorts. Acetylglycine, the top distinguished finding, was validated for its obesity resistance effect through in vivo studies of various diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Eighteen metabolites and fourteen pathways were discovered to be associated with BF phenotypes. Six of the metabolites were validated in varying sex and ethnicity. The obesity-resistant effects of acetylglycine were observed to be highly robust and generalizable in both human and DIO mice. These findings demonstrate the importance of metabolites associated with BF distribution patterns and several biological pathways that may contribute to obesity and obesity-related disease etiology, prevention, and intervention. Acetylglycine is highlighted as a potential therapeutic candidate for preventing excessive adiposity in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Jui Su
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Xing-Ying Chen
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Gong
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
- Department of Cadre Ward Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Shi-Di Hu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Chen Feng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Li
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Xu Lin
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Hua Zhang
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Jonathan Greenbaum
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Qing Tian
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Hui Shen
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Hong-Mei Xiao
- Center of System Biology, Data Information and Reproductive Health, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hong-Wen Deng, ; Jie Shen,
| | - Hong-Wen Deng
- Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Hong-Wen Deng, ; Jie Shen,
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Finken MJJ, Wirix AJG, von Rosenstiel-Jadoul IA, van der Voorn B, Chinapaw MJM, Hartmann MF, Kist-van Holthe JE, Wudy SA, Rotteveel J. Role of glucocorticoid metabolism in childhood obesity-associated hypertension. Endocr Connect 2022; 11:EC-22-0130. [PMID: 35700234 PMCID: PMC9346319 DOI: 10.1530/ec-22-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. We tested the hypothesis that multiple alterations in the metabolism of glucocorticoids are required for the development of hypertension in children who become overweight. METHODS Spot urine for targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry steroid metabolome analysis was collected from (1) overweight/hypertensive children (n = 38), (2) overweight/non-hypertensive children (n = 83), and (3) non-overweight/non-hypertensive children (n = 56). RESULTS The mean (± s.d.) age of participants was 10.4 ± 3.4 years, and 53% of them were male. Group 1 and group 2 had higher excretion rates of cortisol and corticosterone metabolites than group 3 (869 (interquartile range: 631-1352) vs 839 (609-1123) vs 608 (439-834) μg/mmol creatinine × m2 body surface area, P < 0.01, for the sum of cortisol metabolites), and group 1 had a higher excretion rate of naive cortisol than group 3. Furthermore, groups differed in cortisol metabolism, in particular in the activities of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, as assessed from the ratio of cortisol:cortisone metabolites (group 2 < group 3), 5α-reductase (group 1 > group 2 or 3), and CYP3A4 activity (group 1 < group 2 or 3). DISCUSSION The sequence of events leading to obesity-associated hypertension in children may involve an increase in the production of glucocorticoids, downregulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity, and upregulation of 5α-reductase activity, along with a decrease in CYP3A4 activity and an increase in bioavailable cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn J J Finken
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence should be addressed to M J J Finken:
| | - Aleid J G Wirix
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bibian van der Voorn
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mai J M Chinapaw
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joana E Kist-van Holthe
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joost Rotteveel
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Shalitin S, Gat-Yablonski G. Associations of Obesity with Linear Growth and Puberty. Horm Res Paediatr 2022; 95:120-136. [PMID: 34130293 DOI: 10.1159/000516171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity in childhood has increased dramatically in recent decades with increased risk of developing cardiometabolic and other comorbidities. Childhood adiposity may also influence processes of growth and puberty. SUMMARY Growth patterns of obesity during childhood have been shown to be associated with increased linear growth in early childhood, leading to accelerated epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) maturation. Several hormones secreted by the adipose tissue may affect linear growth in the context of obesity, both via the growth hormone IGF-1 axis and via a direct effect on the EGP. The observation that children with obesity tend to mature earlier than lean children has led to the assumption that the degree of body fatness may trigger the neuroendocrine events that lead to pubertal onset. The most probable link between obesity and puberty is leptin and its interaction with the kisspeptin system, which is an important regulator of puberty. However, peripheral action of adipose tissue could also be involved in changes in the onset of puberty. In addition, nutritional factors, epigenetics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are potential mediators linking pubertal onset to obesity. In this review, we focused on interactions of obesity with linear growth and pubertal processes, based on basic research and clinical data in humans. KEY MESSAGE Children with obesity are subject to accelerated linear growth with risk of impaired adult height and early puberty, with its psychological consequences. The data highlight another important objective in combatting childhood obesity, for the prevention of abnormal growth and pubertal patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Shalitin
- National Center for Childhood Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, The Jesse Z and Sara Lea Shafer Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galia Gat-Yablonski
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
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Li J, Li X, Liu X, Wang X, Li J, Lin K, Sun S, Yue H, Dai Y. Untargeted metabolomic study of acute exacerbation of pediatric asthma via HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 215:114737. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Podgórski R, Sumińska M, Rachel M, Fichna M, Fichna P, Mazur A. Alteration in glucocorticoids secretion and metabolism in patients affected by cystic fibrosis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1074209. [PMID: 36568105 PMCID: PMC9779927 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1074209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited syndrome associated with a mutation in a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, composed of exocrine gland dysfunction involving multiple systems that may result in chronic respiratory infections, pancreatic enzyme deficiency, and developmental disorders. Our study describes for the first time the urinary profile of glucocorticoid metabolites and the activity of the enzymes involved in the development and metabolism of cortisol in patients with CF, using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Data were obtained from 25 affected patients and 70 sex- and age- matched healthy volunteers. We have shown a general decrease in the activity of enzymes involved in the peripheral metabolism of cortisol, such as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, 5α- and 5β-reductases. In contrast, the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, the enzyme that converts cortisone to cortisol, increased. Furthermore, our study found a significant decrease in glucocorticoid excretion in patients with CF. This may suggest adrenal insufficiency or dysregulation of the HPA axis and the development of peripheral mechanisms to counteract cortisol degradation in the case of reduced synthesis of glucocorticoids by the adrenal glands. Furthermore, the activity of 5α-reductase seems to be enhanced only through the backdoor pathway, especially when we taking into consideration 11β-hydroxyandrosterone/11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone ratio which has been shown to be the best differential marker for enzyme activity. CF impairs nutritional effects and energetic balance in patients; thus, our findings suggest the existence of adaptive mechanisms due to limited secretion of adrenal steroids and subsequent diminished amounts of their metabolites in urine. On the other hand, local control of cortisol availability is maintained by enhanced 11βHSD1 activity and its recovery from cortisone in organs and tissues which need this. Steroid hormone dysregulation might be another important factor in the course of CF that should be taken into account when planning an effective and comprehensive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Podgórski
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Rafał Podgórski,
| | - Marta Sumińska
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes, Auxology and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Rachel
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Marta Fichna
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Fichna
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes, Auxology and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Mazur
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
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11
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Passaro AP, Marzuillo P, Guarino S, Scaglione F, Miraglia del Giudice E, Di Sessa A. Omics era in type 2 diabetes: From childhood to adulthood. World J Diabetes 2021; 12:2027-2035. [PMID: 35047117 PMCID: PMC8696648 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v12.i12.2027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parallel to the dramatic rise of pediatric obesity, estimates reported an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) already in childhood. The close relationship between obesity and T2D in children is mainly sustained by insulin resistance (IR). In addition, the cardiometabolic burden of T2D including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome is also strictly related to IR. Although T2D pathophysiology has been largely studied in an attempt to improve therapeutic options, molecular mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. In this perspective, omics approaches (including lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics and metagenomics) are providing the most attractive therapeutic options for T2D. In particular, distinct both lipids and metabolites are emerging as potential therapeutic tools. Of note, among lipid classes, the pathogenic role of ceramides in T2D context has been supported by several data. Thus, selective changes of ceramides expression might represent innovative therapeutic strategies for T2D treatment. More, distinct metabolomics pathways have been also found to be associated with higher T2D risk, by providing novel potential T2D biomarkers. Taken together, omics data are responsible for the expanding knowledge of T2D pathophysiology, by providing novel insights to improve therapeutic strategies for this tangled disease. We aimed to summarize the most recent evidence in the intriguing field of the omics approaches in T2D both in adults and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Paride Passaro
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Marzuillo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Stefano Guarino
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Federica Scaglione
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
| | - Anna Di Sessa
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy
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12
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Gawlik A, Salonen A, Jian C, Yanover C, Antosz A, Shmoish M, Wasniewska M, Bereket A, Wudy SA, Hartmann MF, Thivel D, Matusik P, Weghuber D, Hochberg Z. Personalized approach to childhood obesity: Lessons from gut microbiota and omics studies. Narrative review and insights from the 29th European childhood obesity congress. Pediatr Obes 2021; 16:e12835. [PMID: 34296826 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The traditional approach to childhood obesity prevention and treatment should fit most patients, but misdiagnosis and treatment failure could be observed in some cases that lie away from average as part of individual variation or misclassification. Here, we reflect on the contributions that high-throughput technologies such as next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and microbiome analysis make towards a personalized medicine approach to childhood obesity. We hypothesize that diagnosing a child as someone with obesity captures only part of the phenotype; and that metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics and analyses of the gut microbiome, could add precision to the term "obese," providing novel corresponding biomarkers. Identifying a cluster -omic signature in a given child can thus facilitate the development of personalized prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches. It can also be applied to the monitoring of symptoms/signs evolution, treatment choices and efficacy, predisposition to drug-related side effects and potential relapse. This article is a narrative review of the literature and summary of the main observations, conclusions and perspectives raised during the annual meeting of the European Childhood Obesity Group. Authors discuss some recent advances and future perspectives on utilizing a systems approach to understanding and managing childhood obesity in the context of the existing omics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Gawlik
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Anne Salonen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ching Jian
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Chen Yanover
- Healthcare Informatics, IBM Research-Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aleksandra Antosz
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Michael Shmoish
- Bioinformatics Knowledge Unit, The Lokey Centre, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Malgorzata Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Abdullah Bereket
- School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Thivel
- University Clermont Auvergne, UFR Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pawel Matusik
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Daniel Weghuber
- Department of Paediatrics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ze'ev Hochberg
- Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Sumińska M, Podgórski R, Fichna P, Fichna M. Steroid Metabolism in Children and Adolescents With Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Altered SRD5A and 20α/20βHSD Activity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:759971. [PMID: 34764940 PMCID: PMC8577858 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.759971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in glucocorticoid metabolism may contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Obesity in turn affects the androgen balance. The peripheral metabolism of steroids is equally an important determinant of their bioavailability and activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate steroid metabolism in obese children and to define which enzyme alterations are associated with IR. Clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were determined in 122 obese children and adolescents (72 girls, 50 boys) aged 8 - 18 years. 26 of them (21.3%) were diagnosed with IR (13 boys, 13 girls). Routine laboratory tests were performed and 24h urinary steroid excretion profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Positive relationship between 5α-reductase (SRD5A) activity and IR was found. According to the androsterone to etiocholanolone (An/Et) ratio the activity of SRD5A was significantly increased in obese children with IR, but the difference remained insignificant once the 5α-dihydrotestosterone to testosterone (5αDHT/T) ratio was considered. Furthermore, this relationship persisted in boys but was not observed in girls. The activity of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20αHSD) and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20βHSD) was reduced only in obese girls with IR. Conclude, in the context of obese children and adolescents with IR, we surmise that increased SRD5A represents a compensatory mechanism to reduce local glucocorticoid availability. This phenomenon is probably different in the liver (restriction) and in the adipose tissue (expected increase in activity). We show significant changes in 20αHSD and 20βHSD activity in obese girls with IR, but it is difficult to clearly determine whether the activity of these enzymes is an indicator of the function in their ovaries or adrenal glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sumińska
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- *Correspondence: Marta Sumińska,
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Piotr Fichna
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Fichna
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Insulin Resistance in Obese Children: What Can Metabolomics and Adipokine Modelling Contribute? Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12113310. [PMID: 33137934 PMCID: PMC7692749 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of obesity and its resulting comorbidities differs depending upon the age of the subject. The dramatic rise in childhood obesity has resulted in specific needs in defining obesity-associated entities with this disease. Indeed, even the definition of obesity differs for pediatric patients from that employed in adults. Regardless of age, one of the earliest metabolic complications observed in obesity involves perturbations in glucose metabolism that can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. In children, the incidence of type 2 diabetes is infrequent compared to that observed in adults, even with the same degree of obesity. In contrast, insulin resistance is reported to be frequently observed in children and adolescents with obesity. As this condition can be prerequisite to further metabolic complications, identification of biological markers as predictive risk factors would be of tremendous clinical utility. Analysis of obesity-induced modifications of the adipokine profile has been one classic approach in the identification of biomarkers. Recent studies emphasize the utility of metabolomics in the analysis of metabolic characteristics in children with obesity with or without insulin resistance. These studies have been performed with targeted or untargeted approaches, employing different methodologies. This review summarizes some of the advances in this field while emphasizing the importance of the different techniques employed.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Adrenarche is the pubertal maturation of the innermost zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. The onset of adrenarche occurs between 6 and 8 years of age when dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations increase. This review provides an update on adrenal steroidogenesis and the differential diagnosis of premature development of pubic hair. RECENT FINDINGS The complexity of adrenal steroidogenesis has increased with recognition of the alternative 'backdoor pathway' and the 11-oxo-androgens pathways. Traditionally, sulfated steroids such as DHEAS have been considered to be inactive metabolites. Recent data suggest that intracellular sulfated steroids may function as tissue-specific intracrine hormones particularly in the tissues expressing steroid sulfatases such as ovaries, testes, and placenta. SUMMARY The physiologic mechanisms governing the onset of adrenarche remain unclear. To date, no validated regulatory feedback mechanism has been identified for adrenal C19 steroid secretion. Available data indicate that for most children, premature adrenarche is a benign variation of development and a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients with premature adrenarche tend to have higher BMI values. Yet, despite greater knowledge about C19 steroids and zona reticularis function, much remains to be learned about adrenarche.
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