Association of serum resistin levels with metabolic syndrome and early atherosclerosis in obese Chinese children

Aim: To investigate the association of serum resistin levels with metabolic syndrome (MS) and early atherosclerosis in obese children. Methods: A total of 176 obese children and 88 healthy children were enrolled in this study, and were gender and age matched. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of >= the 95th percentile for age and sex. All children had a physical examination and routine hematology testing for fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipids profile. Homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated, as insulin resistance has a central role in the pathophysiology of MS. Non-invasive ultrasound measurement was obtained to investigate carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as the markers of early atherosclerosis. Path analysis was used to evaluate the value of resistin levels to early atherosclerosis. Results: The resistin levels were higher in obese children compared to healthy children (23.14 +/- 7.35 vs. 17.1 +/- 5.7 ng/mL, p < 0.05), and it is positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, IMT and high sensitive CRP (Hs-CRP), but not related to diastolic blood pressure, blood lipids and fasting glucose. A positive linear correlation was observed between resistin and the number of MS components. Path analysis indicated serum resistin can directly (beta = 0.304, p = 0.001), and indirectly via HOMA-IR (beta = 0.085, p = 0.008) and Hs-CRP (beta = 0.047, p = 0.029), contribute to early atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Resistin not only play a certain role in the presence of MS, but also indirectly via insulin resistance and Hs-CRP to contribute to early atherosclerosis in obese children.