Abstract
BackgroundSex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels are low in adult subjects with obesity when compared to normal-weight individuals. Obesity is associated with higher tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) plasma levels and lower adiponectin levels. Moreover, we have recently elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which TNFα and adiponectin regulate hepatic SHBG production.AimThe main objective of this study was to assess if the adult associations between TNFα, adiponectin, and SHBG are present in prepubertal children.MethodsWe determined several morphometric and biochemical parameters in normal-weight (n=15) and obese prepubertal (n=51) children, as well as quantified plasma SHBG, TNFα receptor 1 (TNFα-R1), and adiponectin levels.ResultsOur results showed that prepubertal children with obesity had decreased plasma SHBG levels compared to normal-weight controls (67 nmol/L vs 172 nmol/L). Importantly, SHBG plasma levels correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with TNFα (negatively, ßstd= − 0.31) and adiponectin (positively, ßstd= 0.58) suggesting an important role of these two cytokines in determining plasma SHBG levels in prepubertal children.ConclusionsOur results suggest that plasma adiponectin levels may play a more important role than TNFα in influencing plasma SHBG levels in our prepubertal population with obesity.
Highlights
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels are low in adult subjects with obesity when compared to normal-weight individuals
Our results showed that prepubertal children with obesity had decreased plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels compared to normal-weight controls (67 nmol/L vs 172 nmol/L)
Our results suggest that plasma adiponectin levels may play a more important role than TNFα in influencing plasma SHBG levels in our prepubertal population with obesity
Summary
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels are low in adult subjects with obesity when compared to normal-weight individuals. Childhood obesity prevalence has increased at an alarming rate globally, and the International Association for the Study of Obesity estimates that up to 200 million school-aged children are either overweight or obese [1, 2] This is important because children and adolescents with obesity are at higher risk of obesity during adulthood [3, 4], which is often linked to serious conditions. It is well-known that adult individuals with obesity show lower plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels than normal-weight subjects [9, 10]. Obesity is associated with higher tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) plasma levels and
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