[Metabolic profile and concentration of ghrelin and obestatin in children and adolescents with obesity].

BACKGROUND

It has been pointed out that ghrelin and obestatin could have an impact on the genesis of obesity, since they estimulate and inhibit apetite and, therefore, food consumption.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the metabolic profile, lipid profile and the concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in children with normal weight or obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional design with 97 normal weight or obese children, 6 to 18 years of age, who did not present systemic diseases. The serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high (HDL), low (LDL) and very low density (VLDL) lipoproteins, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ghrelin and obestatin were determined. Descriptive statistics were performed. Student's t test was used to compare groups, and correlation coefficients of ghrelin and obestatin values with biochemical and anthropometric variables. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was significant.

RESULTS

55 children with normal weight and 42 with obesity were included; mean age was 10.7 years. Triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, ALT and insulin were higher, and HDL lower in obese children (p < 0.05). Ghrelin values were higher in normal weight children (p < 0.05), and there was no difference in obestatin values.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower concentration of ghrelin in obese children may indicate a negative feedback to regulate energy consumption. Children and adolescents with obesity show metabolic and lipid profile alterations that place them at risk of early development of cardiovascular risk factors.