Serum leptin level in prepubertal children with simple obesity. Part one

The aim of the study was to determine the serum leptin level and anthropometric indices (body mass index - BMI) in a group of prepubertal children with simple obesity. These parameters were compared with the values characteristic for the group of slim children. The study showed that serum leptin levels were significantly higher in obese children compared with the group of slim children (p<0.0001). There was a positive correlation (r=0.48; p<0.05) between leptin levels and nutritional status indices expressed by BMI. Results of this study suggest that leptin level in the group of children with simple obesity does not have an effect on satiety, on reduction of appetite or on the increment of adipose tissue. The study showed also that hyperleptinemia might be an effect of leptin resistance.     

Serum leptin levels in premature pubarche and prepubertal girls with and without obesity

Leptin can be regarded as a marker of the nutritional status of the body. This study was performed to determine the correlation of leptin levels with insulin (I) and androgens in girls with premature pubarche (PP) and prepubertal controls (C) with (OB) or without (nOB) obesity. We studied 25 girls with PP and 14 C; girls were dived into two subgroups according to body mass index (BMI): OB (18 PP and 8 C) and nOB (7 PP and 6 C). Obesity was defined as BMI >95th percentile for chronological age. Serum levels of leptin, I, glucose (G), DHEAS, testosterone, androstenedione (A), cortisol, SHBG, IGFBP-1 and lipid profile were measured. The fasting G to I ratio (FGIR) was calculated and FGIR <7 was considered as suggestive of I resistance (IR). Data were analyzed comparing PP vs C and OB vs nOB. Serum DHEAS (0.60 +/- 0.45 vs 0.18 +/- 0.22 microg/ml) and A (895.5 +/- 420.4 vs 457.0 +/- 352.1 pg/ml) levels were significantly higher in PP than C. Other hormonal and metabolic parameters were similar. Serum leptin (30.8 +/- 18.3 vs 8.1 +/- 5.9 ng/ml), A (841.8 +/- 471.1 vs 522.5 +/- 317.2 pg/ml), DHEAS (0.53 +/- 0.44 vs 0.31 +/- 0.39 microg/ml), G (88.4 +/- 8.8 vs 80.2 +/- 8.1 mg/dl), I (13.5 +/- 7.7 vs 5.1 +/- 3.7 microU/ml) and total cholesterol (TC) (180.5 +/- 30.9 vs 161.8 +/- 29.5 mg/dl) levels were greater in the OB than in the nOB group. IR was observed in 10 girls with OB and in one with nOB. Leptin was correlated with BMI (r = 0.83), SHBG (r = -0.44), IGFBP-1 (r = -0.47), I (r = 0.37), A (r = 0.48) and TC (r = 0.36), but in multiple regression analysis only with BMI (r2 = 0.72, p < 0.001). Girls with PP and prepubertal OB girls showed elevated leptin levels independent of I and androgen levels. Girls with OB had a greater degree of hyperandrogenism and IR. As obesity, IR and hyperandrogenism are common findings in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is more prevalent in young women with a history of PP, a role of leptin in PCOS can be suggested. In addition, girls with PP could be considered a population at risk for plurimetabolic syndrome.     

Serum leptin concentrations in children with Prader-Willi syndrome and non-syndromal obesity

There is limited information on the underlying physiological mechanisms promoting obesity in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether body fat regulation in children with PWS is similar to that in children with non-syndromal obesity and non-obese children. We studied three groups: 1) 72 non-obese children and adolescents; 2) 68 children with non-syndromal obesity; and 3) 11 patients with PWS. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) and BMI SDS were calculated. Fasting serum leptin concentrations were determined. Median leptin serum concentrations were similar in PWS patients and children with non-syndromal obesity. Median leptin serum concentrations were higher in these two groups than in the non-obese group. Log leptin serum concentrations and BMI SDS showed significant correlations in the three groups of patients; correlation coefficients were 0.525, 0.285 and 0.854, respectively. In conclusion, median leptin serum concentrations are similar in PWS patients and children with non-syndromal obesity. The relationship between log serum leptin concentrations and BMI SDS was different in the three groups of patients studied.     

Serum leptin level in children with atopic dermatitis-treated topical steroids

Leptin, the obese gene product, is a 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted by adiposities. Systemic administration of exogenous glucocorticoids has been found to increase circulating leptin levels. In this study, we aimed to assess serum leptin in children with atopic dermatitis (AD)-treated with local steroids. Twenty children with AD were included during the 2001-2002 time period. The study was conducted prospectively. Atopy was defined as the presence of at least one aeroallergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. Serum leptin was determined using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit with 3.4-8.3% intra-assay and 3.0-6.2% interassay coefficients of variation, and 0.5 ng/ml sensitivity. Fourteen boys and six girls with AD, the mean age of the patients was 3.1 +/- 2.2. Forty-three percentage of the family histories for atopy were positive, 60% of the cases passive smoking histories were positive. In seven patients the aeroallergen-specific IgE were positive. All 20 patients treated clobetasone 17-butirate (0.05%). There was no significant difference in serum leptin between patients (mean +/- s.d.: 4.6 +/- 3.8), and controls (mean +/- s.d.: 6.2 +/- 3.6) (p > 0.05). Local steroid does not influence circulating leptin levels, suggesting that regulation of body weight is unaffected.     

肥胖儿童瘦素水平的变化及其与骨密度的关系

目的：探讨长沙市肥胖儿童血清瘦素水平的变化及与骨密度（BMD）、身体成分的关系,为预防和治疗儿童肥胖及骨质疏松提供科学依据。方法：从长沙市5所小学随机抽取119例肥胖儿童和103例正常儿童,采用双能X线骨密度仪（DEXA）进行全身扫描,测定骨密度及身体成分;采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）测定血清瘦素水平。结果：①肥胖儿童的身高、体重、体重指数（BMI）、腰围和腰臀比均显著高于正常儿童（P<0.01）。②肥胖儿童的全身骨密度、骨矿物质含量、瘦组织含量、脂肪组织含量、体脂百分比(%BF)及血清瘦素水平均显著高于正常儿童（P<0.01）。③血清瘦素水平与儿童全身骨密度、骨矿物质含量、瘦组织含量、脂肪组织含量均呈显著正相关（r=0.528~0.903）,其中瘦素水平与脂肪组织含量呈高度正相关（男：r=0.883,女：r=0.903）。多元逐步回归分析显示,BMI及%BF是儿童血清瘦素水平的独立影响因素。结论：肥胖儿童血清瘦素水平升高,血清瘦素水平与骨密度及身体成分显著相关,BMI、%BF是儿童血清瘦素水平的独立影响因素。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（9）：745-748］     

学龄期肥胖儿童血尿酸水平及相关因素分析

目的探讨肥胖儿童血尿酸水平及相关因素。方法从三所小学,7~14岁小学生中筛查出肥胖儿童;选取年龄及性别相匹配、体质指数（BMI）正常的儿童作为对照。抽取空腹静脉血检测尿酸（URIC）、葡萄糖（GLU）、总胆固醇（CHOL）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）。结果共调查3000名儿童,筛查出肥胖儿童68例,检出率为2.2%（68/3000）,其中男孩57名,女孩11名。与136例正常对照儿童比较,肥胖组儿童的血压、URIC、CHOL、TG、LDL-C、腰围均增高,而HDL-C降低,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。肥胖儿童高尿酸血症检出率为35.3%,高于正常对照儿童5.88%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。URIC与腰围、BMI、血压、TG呈正相关,与HDL-C负相关。结论     

单纯性肥胖儿童血清胰岛素样生长因子-1水平的临床研究

目的探讨单纯性肥胖儿童是否存在胰岛素样生长因子-1(insulinlikegrowthfactor1,IGF1)水平的异常,为防治儿童单纯性肥胖开辟新的医学途径。方法检测并分析50例单纯性肥胖儿童、30例健康儿童血清胰岛素、IGF1水平及血压。结果与健康儿童比较,单纯性肥胖儿童血清胰岛素、收缩压、舒张压增高,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。肥胖的程度不同,血糖、胰岛素、IGF1水平亦不同。对照组、轻、中、重度肥胖组的血糖、胰岛素、IGF1水平差异有统计学意义(F=8.79～14.82,P均<0.05)。重度肥胖组儿童的血糖浓度高于对照组和轻度肥胖组(P<0.05),而IGF1水平低于其他三组;中、重度肥胖儿童血清胰岛素水平高于对照组及轻度肥胖组(P<0.05);单纯性肥胖儿童血压高于健康儿童(P<0.05),高胰岛素血症的肥胖儿童血压明显高于胰岛素正常的儿童(P<0.01)。高胰岛素血症肥胖儿童IGF1水平低于胰岛素正常的儿童(P<0.01)。结论单纯性肥胖儿童,尤其是重度肥胖儿童,存在高胰岛素血症、高血压、IGF1水平低下及高血糖;IGF1水平下降是单纯性肥胖儿童物质代谢紊乱的危险信号,是肥胖儿童未来心血管疾病、糖尿病等的又一危险因素。     

Serum leptin concentrations in children with mild-to-moderate protein-energy malnutrition

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between nutritional anthropometric parameters and serum leptin concentrations in otherwise healthy children with mild-to-moderate protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) secondary to inadequate energy intake. METHODS: Eighty-one otherwise healthy children with poor appetite and inadequate energy intake were enrolled in the study. The anthropometric values were evaluated in all subjects. Fasting serum leptin concentrations were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 81 otherwise healthy children, 30 were found to have mild-to-moderate PEM. The control group consisted of 51 healthy children who had normal anthropometric values, even though they had inadequate energy intake. There was a significant difference in serum leptin concentrations between the two groups (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between mean serum leptin concentrations and percentage of standard weight for height in the patient and the control group (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that percentage of standard BMI was the best predictor for serum leptin concentrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to BMI, percentage of standard weight for height is a valuable nutritional anthropometric parameter for serum leptin concentrations in PEM and inadequate energy intake. However in the present study, percentage of standard BMI was the best predictor for serum leptin concentrations. Serum leptin concentrations are low not only in severe PEM, but also in children with mild-to-moderate PEM without chronic disease.     

Serum leptin and leptin binding activity in children and adolescents with hypothalamic dysfunction

Marked disturbance in eating behaviour and obesity are common sequelae of hypothalamic damage. To investigate whether these were associated with dysfunctional leptin central feedback, we evaluated serum leptin and leptin binding activity in 37 patients (age 3.5-21 yr) with tumour or trauma involving the hypothalamic-pituitary axis compared with 138 healthy children (age 5.0-18.2 yr). Patients were subdivided by BMI <2 SDS or > or = 2 SDS and healthy children and children with simple obesity of comparable age and pubertal status served as controls. Patients had higher BMI (mean 1.9 vs 0.2 SDS; p <0.001), a greater proportion had BMI > or = 2 SDS (54% vs 8%; p <0.001) and higher serum leptin (mean 2.1 vs 0.04 SDS; p <0.001) than healthy children. Serum leptin (mean 1.1 vs -0.1 SDS; p = 0.004) and values adjusted for BMI (median 0.42 vs 0.23 microg/l:kg/m2; p = 0.02) were higher in patients with BMI <2 SDS. However, serum leptin adjusted for BMI was similar in patients with BMI > or = 2 SDS compared to corresponding controls (1.08 vs 0.95; p = 0.6). Log serum leptin correlated with BMI SDS in all subject groups but the relationship in patients with BMI <2 SDS was of higher magnitude (r = 0.65, slope = 0.29, p =0.05 for difference between slopes) than in healthy controls (r = 0.42, slope = 0.19). Serum leptin binding activity (median 7.5 vs 9.3%; p = 0.02) and values adjusted for BMI (median 0.28 vs 0.48 % x m2/kg; p <0.001) were lower in patients than in healthy children. The markedly elevated leptin levels with increasing BMI in non-obese patients with hypothalamic-pituitary damage are suggestive of an unrestrained pattern of leptin secretion. This along with low leptin binding activity and hence higher free leptin levels would be consistent with central leptin insensitivity.     

单纯性热性惊厥患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶、促乳素水平检测及意义

目的 探讨单纯性热性惊厥（SFC）患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、促乳素（PRL）水平的变化，了解SFC发作后脑损伤的情况。方法 采用酶联免疫吸附法对35例单纯性热性惊厥、23例发热无惊厥（既往也无惊厥史）患儿和23例健康体检儿童进行血清NSE、PRL含量的检测。结果 SFC组血清NSE水平与发热组和健康对照组比较，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。而发热组与健康对照组比较，差异无显著性（P〉0．05）；三组血清PRL比较，差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论 NSE是一个容易检测、特异性高并且稳定性强的脑损伤标志物，而PRL是判断癫痫性发作的一个有用的辅助生化指标。SFC发作时NSE有明显升高，PRL无明显变化，说明SFC发作可致脑损伤，但与癫痫发作是有区别的。     

大鼠肥胖和瘦素、性发育相关指标的变化

目的探讨肥胖和瘦素、性发育之间的关系。方法28d雌性SD大鼠,按体重排序,41～60百分位点为对照组:61～80为高热量肥胖组,81～100为自然肥胖组。对照组和自然肥胖组喂以普通饲料,高热量组喂以高热量饲料。观察其不同发育时期肝脏脂肪变、血脂、血中瘦素和雌二醇(E2)水平的变化、卵巢发育和下丘脑促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)表达。结果实验第6周起,高热量组血清TG高于对照组,并有较多的大鼠发生肝脏脂肪变;实验组(高热量和自然肥胖组)血中瘦素水平均明显高于对照组,并与体重有很好的正相关;血中E2水平、卵泡和黄体形成、黄体出现率,及下丘脑GnRH表达均随鼠龄增长而增加,同期比较,实验组高于对照组。高热量组瘦素与对照组和高热量组的E2有很好的正相关。结论高热量(高蛋白、高脂)摄入所致肥胖对血脂的不利影响较自然肥胖更为严重;自然肥胖与高热量肥胖的雌性大鼠性发育有提前倾向,自然肥胖大鼠更为明显;瘦素对雌性大鼠肥胖和性成熟的提前可能有重要相关作用。     

Serum zinc levels in children with simple febrile seizure

A prospective case-control study was conducted in a major tertiary care hospital for children during June 2005 to May 2006 on children aged between 3 months and 5 years to compare serum zinc levels in 38 cases of simple febrile seizure and 38 age-matched controls. The mean serum zinc levels in cases and controls were 32.17 and 87.6 microg/dL, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( P < .001). We conclude that Indian children with febrile seizure had low serum zinc levels, and zinc supplementation to reduce the incidence of febrile seizure should be investigated.     

Serum creatinine level and renal function in children.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the accuracy of serum creatinine and height/serum creatinine glomerular filtration rate (Cr-GFR) formula as screening tests for abnormal renal function defined by plasma diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) clearance. DESIGN--Patient series. SETTING--The Children's Hospital of Buffalo (NY). PATIENTS--Eighty-seven consecutive patients ranging in age from 2 to 20 years. MEASUREMENTS--The Cr-GFR was calculated by means of the formula GFR (milliliters per minute per 1.73 m2) = kL/serum creatinine (milligrams per deciliter), where L is body length in centimeters and k is a constant dependent on age and sex. Plasma clearance of technetium Tc 99m-labeled DTPA was our reference method for determination of GFR (DTPA-GFR). RESULTS--The Cr-GFR formula identified children with impaired renal function (DTPA clearance, less than 80 mL/min per 1.73 m2) with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 93%. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of elevated serum creatinine level for this purpose were 80% and 96%, respectively. Of the children with renal insufficiency (DTPA clearance, 40 to 79 mL/min per 1.73 m2), 91% were correctly identified by the Cr-GFR formula. However, only 65% of these children had elevated serum creatinine levels. Although all children with renal failure (DTPA clearance, less than 40 mL/min per 1.73 m2) had abnormally high serum creatinine levels, the specificity of this test was significantly lower than that of the Cr-GFR formula (75% vs 100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS--The Cr-GFR formula is superior to serum creatinine level for estimating GFR. This formula provides a simple, reasonably accurate screening test for the presence and severity of impaired renal function.     

不同肥胖程度儿童血浆NPY水平的研究

目的：神经肽Y(NPY)是与摄食行为有关的一种神经内分泌因子,可能与单纯性肥胖的发生有关。该文探讨NPY在不同程度单纯性肥胖儿童血浆中的水平及其在单纯性肥胖症中的作用机制。方法：选择6～13岁肥胖程度不同的单纯性肥胖儿童105例(轻度、中度、重度肥胖各35人)和35名正常体重儿童,用放免法测定血浆NPY,比较肥胖组与对照组及不同肥胖程度组之间NPY水平的差异性。结果：单纯性肥胖组血浆NPY水平(170.75±37.05)pg/ml明显高于对照组(126.97±32.17)pg/ml;轻度肥胖组(152.89±30.82)pg/ml明显高于对照组而低于中、重度组(173.66±37.25)pg/ml、(185.71±35.97)pg/ml;中度肥胖组与重度肥胖组间无差异。结论：NPY在单纯性肥胖儿童血浆中明显升高,在单纯性肥胖症的发生、发展中均可能起重要作用。     

儿童单纯性肥胖血清瘦素水平分析

目的：比较单纯性肥胖儿童与正常健康儿童血清瘦素的水平，分析血清瘦素与空腹胰岛素之间的关系。方法：选择单纯性肥胖儿童30例，健康非肥胖儿童30例作对照组，分别测定其空腹胰岛素与瘦素水平。结果：单纯性肥胖组血清瘦素明显高于对照组（P＜0．001），瘦素与空腹胰岛素呈显著性相关（r=0.854，P＜0．001）。结论：单纯性肥胖儿童体内存在高胰岛素血症，同时存在瘦素抵抗，胰岛素与瘦素的调控是双向的。