BACKGROUND

Obesity and its complications have increased in both adults and children, with pediatric populations developing metabolic disorders at earlier ages. Long non-coding RNAs, particularly , are involved in obesity through regulation of lipogenic genes including , , , , and . However, data on expression in pediatric obesity are limited. This study evaluated , , and expression in PBMCs from children with obesity and their associations with added sugar intake and lipid metabolism genes.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study 71 children within the age range of 6 to 12 years were included (28 normal weight and 43 with obesity). Anthropometrical and clinical parameters and dietary added sugar consumption were analyzed. Real-time PCR was performed to assess , , , , , and gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

The expression of , , , , , and was decreased in children with obesity. and showed sex-dependent expression in children without obesity, while additional sex-related differences were observed for , , , , and in children with obesity. was associated with the expression of , , , , and . In insulin-resistant (IR) children, , , , , and were reduced, while was increased. Added sugar intake negatively correlated with , , and .

CONCLUSIONS

The , , and expression was altered in children with obesity, showing sex- and IR-related differences. Added sugar intake correlated negatively with lipogenic gene expression.