Increased circulating serpinB1 levels in children with overweight/obesity are associated with obesity-related parameters: a cross-sectional study

Background Circulating serpinB1 levels are increased in obese mice and have been shown to promote beta-cell proliferation in several species. However, the data on serum serpinB1 levels in children with obesity are scarce. This study aimed to determine serum serpinB1 levels in children with overweight/obesity, and to study its association with obesity-related parameters. Methods A total of 54 children with overweight/obesity and 36 normal-weight healthy controls aged 6-14 were recruited in this study. Anthropometric parameters, glucolipid metabolic biochemical parameters, sex hormones, and serum serpinB1 levels were measured in all subjects. The association of serum serpinB1 levels with obesity-related parameters and the risk of overweight/obesity were analyzed using correlation analysis and binary regression analysis, respectively. Results The serum serpinB1 level in overweight/obese children was notably greater than in normal-weight controls (2.03 +/- 0.70 vs. 1.41 +/- 0.58 ng/mL, p < 0.001). SerpinB1 levels were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score, triglyceride (TG), uric acid, fasting insulin, C-peptide, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels. Additionally, we found that elevated circulating serpinB1 levels were associated with the increased risk of childhood overweight/obesity even after adjustment for age, gender, and HOMA-IR (odds ratio, 4.132; 95% confidence interval, 1.315-12.983; p = 0.015). Conclusions Circulating serpinB1 level was significantly increased in children with overweight/obesity and positively associated with obesity-related glucolipid metabolic parameters. These results indicate a close association between serum serpinB1 concentrations and childhood overweight/obesity.