J Obes Metab Syndr.  2017 Sep;26(3):204-209. 10.7570/jomes.2017.26.3.204.

Serum FGF21 Levels in Obese Korean Children and Adolescents

• Baek J
• Nam HK
• Rhie YJ
• Lee KH

• KMID: 2392946
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2017.26.3.204

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been suggested to be a possible biomarker for early detection of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in adults. However, few studies have investigated the correlation between FGF21 levels and metabolic parameters in children. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between FGF21 and metabolic parameters in obese Korean children and adolescents.
METHODS
Methods: Fasting serum FGF21 and adiponectin levels as well as fasting insulin, glucose, transaminases, and lipid profiles were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 45 lean and 70 obese children aged 7-14 years. Independent t-test and multivariate correlation analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between FGF21 and metabolic parameters.
RESULTS
Serum FGF21 was significantly higher in obese children than in lean children. Serum FGF21 levels were positively correlated with insulin resistance index homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) (r=0.355, P=0.004) and triglycerides (r=0.423, P<0.001) and were negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r=−0.412, P<0.001). After adjustment for body mass index, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and adiponectin, FGF21 levels showed a significant correlation with only HOMA-IR on multivariate linear regression analysis.
CONCLUSION
Serum FGF21 levels were higher in obese children and significantly correlated with HOMA-IR. Therefore, FGF21 could be a biomarker for obesity-induced insulin resistance in children and adolescents as indicated in adults.

Keyword

Fibroblast growth factor; Child; Obesity; Insulin resistance

MeSH Terms

Adiponectin
Adolescent*
Adult
Body Mass Index
Child*
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fasting
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Glucose
Homeostasis
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Linear Models
Lipoproteins
Obesity
Transaminases
Triglycerides
Adiponectin
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Glucose
Insulin
Lipoproteins
Transaminases
Triglycerides