Meteorin-like Protein and Asprosin Levels in Children and Adolescents with Obesity and Their Relationship with Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome

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.

Keywords: Metrnl; asprosin; children; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; obesity.