Plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations correlate with cardiometabolic risk and systemic inflammation in healthy, non-obese children

Abstract

Plasma adipocytokines are associated with metabolic profile and cardiovascular risk in obese children. To investigate the association of plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations with cardiometabolic risk profile and systemic inflammation in non-obese children. We studied 170 healthy, non-obese children (86 males, mean age 10±2 years). Children's current body mass index (BMI), plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. After adjustment for age, gender and BMI, plasma leptin concentrations were positively associated with hsCRP (t=2.72, p=0.009) and fasting plasma glucose (t=4.27, p<0.0001); plasma adiponectin concentrations were negatively associated with hsCRP (t=-3.31, p=0.0016); and positively with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (t=2.32, p=0.02). Children in the highest quartile of leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio demonstrated significantly higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, hsCRP, triglycerides and fasting glucose and the lowest high density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to lower L/A ratio quartiles. Alterations in plasma leptin and adiponectin may help to reclassify non-obese children, detecting those with more unfavorable risk profiles independent of BMI status.