Association between insulin resistance and estrogen in sexual precocity of obese children

The aim of the study was to examine the association between sexual precocity and high-molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin and investigate the correlation of insulin resistance and estrogen levels in obese children. In total, 60 obese children (30 boys and 30 girls) with sexual precocity were included in group A, 60 obese children (30 boys and 30 girls) without sexual precocity were included in group B, and 60 average weight children (30 boys and 30 girls) were included in group C. The levels of HMW adiponectin, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH) peak, estradiol and testosterone were measured. The results showed that the HMW-adiponectin level of group A was the lowest and that of group C was the highest. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and estradiol levels of group A were significantly higher than those of group B, and group B was higher than that of group C. LH peak and testosterone levels of group A were the lowest while those of group C were the highest. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). A subgroup analysis showed that the above results were more significant in girls. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the level of HMW-adiponectin was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and estradiol (P<0.05), and positively correlated with the LH peak (P<0.05). In conclusion, sexual precocity of obese children may be associated with insulin resistance, and the link may be HMW-adiponectin.