Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein plasma levels as a biomarker of obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents

• Published in: Clinical and experimental pediatrics Vol. 59; no. 5; pp. 231 - 238
• Main Authors: Kim, Ki Eun, Cho, Young Sun, Baek, Kyung Suk, Li, Lan, Baek, Kwang-Hyun, Kim, Jung Hyun, Kim, Ho-Seong, Sheen, Youn Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Clinical and Experimental Pediatics / Korean Pediatric Society 01.05.2016; The Korean Pediatric Society; Korean Pediatric Society; 대한소아청소년과학회
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biomarkers; Body mass index; Insulin resistance; Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; Obesity; Original; Teenagers; 소아과학; United States > US; Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; Body mass index; Obesity; Insulin resistance; Adolescent
• ISSN: 1738-1061; 2092-7258; 2713-4148
• DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2016.59.5.231

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a 65-kDa acute phase protein, derived from the liver, which is present in high concentrations in plasma. Data regarding the association between circulating plasma LBP levels and obesity-related biomarkers in the pediatric population are scarce. We aimed to determine whether there was a difference in plasma LBP levels between overweight/obese and normal-weight adolescents and to assess the correlation of circulating LBP levels with anthropometric measures and obesity-related biomarkers, including insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. The study included 87 adolescents aged 12-13 years; 44 were overweight/obese and 43 were of normal-weight. We assessed anthropometric and laboratory measures, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Plasma LBP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean age of the participants was 12.9±0.3 years. Circulating plasma LBP levels were significantly increased in overweight/obese participants compared with those in normal-weight participants (7.8±1.9 µg/mL vs. 6.0±1.6 µg/mL, P<0.001). LBP levels were significantly and positively associated with BMI, systolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin resistance as indicated by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, BMI and HOMA-IR were independently and positively associated with plasma LBP levels. LBP is an inflammatory biomarker associated with BMI and obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents. The positive correlation between these parameters suggests a potentially relevant pathophysiological mechanism linking LBP to obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents.