Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation and may be of importance in obesity development. The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of chosen IGF-axis genes and the concentration of their protein products in 28 obese children (OB) and 34 healthy control (HC), and their correlation with essential parameters associated with childhood obesity. The gene expression of IGFBP7 was higher, and the expression of IGF2 and IGFBP1 genes was lower in the OB. The expression of IGFBP6 tended to be lower in OB. IGFBP4 concentration was significantly higher, and IGFBP3 tended to be higher in the OB compared to the HC, while IGFBP1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP6 were significantly lower, and IGFBP7 tended to be lower in OB. We found numerous correlations between IGFs and IGFBP concentration and obesity metabolic parameters. IGFBP6 correlated positively with apelin, cholecystokinin, glucagone-like peptide-1, and leptin receptor. These peptides were also significantly lower in obese children in our study. The biological role of decreased levels of IGFBP6 in obese children needs further investigation.
Highlights
Obesity is a complex condition with a serious impact on overall health, both physical and psychological
Our results showed the trend toward higher concentration of IGFBP3 in obese children compared to the control group, what was consistent with the data from literature [22,36], and the results with not significant differences were described [4]
In the case of ghrelin, we showed a positive correlation with IGF2, IGFBP1, and IGFBP2, both fasting and after glucose administration, IGFBP1 only after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and a negative correlation with IGFBP4 after OGTT
Summary
Obesity is a complex condition with a serious impact on overall health, both physical and psychological. It is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health” [1]. Obesity can affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, and endocrine systems [6,7]. It affects the physical sphere, and negatively affects the psyche and self-esteem [8]. This common condition is regarded as a very widespread and growing problem in pediatrics and has been referred to as “an epidemic” [9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
