Relationship between Insulin Resistance and Serum Levels of Adiponectin and Resistin with Childhood Obesity

Objective: The aim is to study the relationship between insulin resistance and serum adiponectin and resistin in obese children. Methods: A total 113 obese and 37 nonobese children were enrolled and serum adiponectin and resistin were measured. Results: Compared with controls, higher insulin resistance by homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) and lower whole body insulin resistance index (WBISI) were found in obese children (all P <0.05). The adiponectin levels in obese children and controls were 3.63 and 5.79 µg/L with a significant difference (P<0.001) while the difference of resistin levels was not significant (P = 0.948). Significant correlations between insulin resistance parameter and age, sexual development, BMI, serum triglyceride, ApoB, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, or adiponectin levels (all P <0.05) were noted. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that BMI and adiponectin levels were independent determinants of WBISI. Conclusions: These results suggest that adiponectin may play a protective role in obese children through decreasing insulin resistance. Key words: Adiponectin, Child, Insulin resistance, Obesity, Resistin. INSULIN resistance (IR) with consequenthyperinsulinemia has a central role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including obesity