Association of adipokines with obesity in children and adolescents

Background: Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and is associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders. Several adipokines including resistin, visfatin, leptin and adiponectin are synthesized and secreted by adipocytes, which play an important role in obesity. Patients & methods: A total of 90 subjects (60 controls and 30 obese) between the ages of 5 and 18 years were selected. Serum visfatin, TNF-alpha, resistin, insulin and adiponectin were measured using ELISA and insulin resistance was calculated by the Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance. Results: Mean +/- standard deviation Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance, serum TNF-alpha and visfatin levels were significantly higher in obese subjects (3.99 +/- 0.94, 12.99 +/- 3.42, 10.89 +/- 2.72, respectively) compared with the control group (1.60 +/- 0.34, 7.22 +/- 2.22 and 4.97 +/- 1.57, respectively). Mean +/- standard deviation serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese children (5.95 +/- 1.02) compared with controls (9.07 +/- 1.25). Binary logistic regression shows that adiponectin and visfatin are associated with obesity. Conclusion: Circulating levels of adipokines vary in obesity and adiponectin and visfatin are associated with obesity.