Meteorin-Like Protein and Asprosin Levels in Children and Adolescents With Obesity and Their Relationship With Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Publisher Pubmed



Moradi N^{1, 2} ; Fadaei R³ ; Roozbehkia M⁴ ; Nourbakhsh M^{5, 6} ; Nourbakhsh M^{5, 6} ; Razzaghyazar M⁷ ; Larijani B⁸
Source: Lab Medicine Published:2023

Abstract

Objective: Two newly discovered adipokines, including Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) and asprosin, have been implicated in glucose and insulin metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the associations of these adipokines with obesity in children and adolescents. Methods: This study was performed on 35 normal-weight children and 35 children with obesity. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined. Serum concentrations of Metrnl, asprosin, and insulin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Metrnl level was significantly lower in obese children than normal-weight children. Additionally, Metrnl was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), insulin, waist-To-hip ratio, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Our results also revealed that circulating asprosin levels were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control subjects and were positively correlated with BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, and LDL-C. Conclusion: Obesity is accompanied by significant alterations in Metrnl and asprosin and therefore these adipokines, especially Metrnl, are suggested as new promising therapeutic targets for obesity and its associated metabolic imbalances. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pathology. All rights reserved.