Changes in concentration of serum adiponectin multimeric forms following weight reduction programme in prepubertal obese children

Abstract

Introduction: It is widely recognized that lifestyle intervention with modification of dietary habits and physical activity is effective in weight reduction and may improve the biochemical parameters in obese children and adolescents. However, the levels of adiponectin multimeric complexes during lifestyle intervention have not been extensively studied in obese children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the 3-months weight-reduction programme on serum adiponectin multimeric complexes in obese prepubertal children.

Material and methods: Changes in clinical, anthropometric and metabolic parameters including total adiponectin and its multimeric forms were assessed in 30 obese children aged 4-10 years, after a 3-months lifestyle intervention programme. This programme consisted of dietary and physical activity modifications and behaviour therapy including individual psychological care for the child and its family. The recommended daily intake from low-energy diet was 1200-1400 kcal/day. The reference group consisted of 35 healthy normal-weight children. Concentration of serum total adiponectin (Total-A) and its multimeric complexes: low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin, medium molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were measured by ELISA kit.

Results: We observed that the concentrations of total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin were 25% (p<0.01) and 45% (p<0.0001) lower respectively, in obese children compared to controls. HMW/ Total-A ratio was lower in the obese children than in the controls (p<0.001), whereas LMW/Total-A ratio was higher in the obese as compared to the normal-weight children (p<0.001). After 3-months therapy the increases of total adiponectin concentration (by 20%, p<0.001), HMW (by 25%, p<0.001) and MMW adiponectin (by 30%, p<0.05) were recorded in these patients in comparison to baseline values. The increase of HMW/Total-A ratio (p<0.05) and the decrease of LMW/Total-A ratio (p<0.05) were also found in obese patients after weight-reduction programme as compared to the level before therapy. After modification of the diet and physical activity, the BMI of the obese children declined by 10% (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Our results indicate that the weight loss in children after 3-months therapy is associated with the increase of total and HMW, MMW adiponectin concentration. This suggests that the intervention programme is sufficient to detect significant changes in adiponectin multimeric profile, which confirms the efficacy of this therapy in prepubertal obese children.