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. 2022 Jun 10:40:e2021030.
doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2021030IN. eCollection 2022.

Genetic polymorphisms and plasma concentrations of leptin (rs7799039) and adiponectin (rs17300539) are associated with obesity in children and adolescents

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Carlos Alberto Menezes  1 , Eduardo Rodrigues Alves Junior  2 , Gustavo Nunes de Oliveira Costa  3 , Thaís Caroline Dallabona Dombroski  2 , Rafael Teixeira de Mattos  4 , Juliana de Assis Silva Gomes  4 , Fabricio Rios-Santos  5
Affiliations

Genetic polymorphisms and plasma concentrations of leptin (rs7799039) and adiponectin (rs17300539) are associated with obesity in children and adolescents

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Carlos Alberto Menezes et al. Rev Paul Pediatr. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics and the presence of genetic polymorphisms of leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) between eutrophic and obese children and adolescents.

Methods: This is a case-control study involving 104 children and adolescents. All subjects were assessed for anthropometric characteristics and clinical, laboratory, and genetic polymorphism parameters. The sample was selected from the pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic specialized in the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification, and controls were selected from the same location in the general pediatric outpatient clinic.

Results: As a result, the parameters, such as black color, obese parents, hypertensive parents, and early weaning, were found to be associated with obesity. Increased levels of insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, CRP-U, AST, ALT, GGT, free T4, IGF-1, and uric acid and low levels of HDL cholesterol are found to be associated with a higher chance of obesity. The presence of AG/AA polymorphisms in the leptin is associated with a 290% (OR 3.9) higher chance of obesity, and for adiponectin genes, the chances are 740% (OR 8.4) higher. In these obese children and adolescents with AG/AA haplotypes, serum leptin levels were increased and adiponectin levels were decreased in eutrophic individuals, whereas serum TNF-α levels did not change.

Conclusions: The AG/AA polymorphisms in the leptin and adiponectin genes alter the serum levels of these adipokines and predispose them to obesity, and many anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal markers are altered, demonstrating early consequences for the health of these obese children and adolescents.

Objetivo:: Comparar as características antropométricas, bioquímicas, hormonais e a presença de polimorfismos genéticos de leptina, adiponectina e fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) entre crianças e adolescentes eutróficos e obesos.

Métodos:: Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle conduzido com 104 crianças e adolescentes. Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados quanto às características antropométricas e parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e de polimorfismo genético. A amostra foi selecionada no ambulatório de endocrinologia pediátrica especializado no tratamento da obesidade em crianças e adolescentes de acordo com a classificação do Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e os controles foram selecionados no mesmo local, porém no ambulatório de pediatria geral.

Resultados:: Alguns parâmetros foram associados à obesidade em nosso estudo: cor preta, pais obesos, pais hipertensos e desmame precoce. Níveis aumentados de insulina, triglicerídeos, colesterol total, colesterol LDL, PCR-U, AST, ALT, GGT, T4 Livre, IGF-1, ácido úrico e níveis baixos de colesterol HDL estão associados a uma chance maior de obesidade. A presença de polimorfismos AG/AA na leptina está associada a uma chance 290% (OR 3,9) maior de obesidade, enquanto para os genes da adiponectina as chances são 740% (OR 8,4) maiores. Nessas crianças e adolescentes obesos com haplótipos AG/AA, os níveis séricos de leptina aumentaram e os níveis de adiponectina diminuíram em relação aos eutróficos, já os níveis séricos de TNF-α não se alteraram.

Conclusões:: Concluiu-se que os polimorfismos AG/AA nos genes da leptina e adiponectina alteram os níveis séricos dessas adipocinas e predispõem à obesidade precoce, e muitos marcadores antropométricos, bioquímicos e hormonais ficam alterados, trazendo consequências para a saúde dessas crianças e adolescentes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests

The authors declare there is no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution by density (kernel) of the serum concentration of leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-α in the AA/AG and GG haplotype categories with comparison by Mann–Whitney and presentation of the medians by haplotypes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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