Zonulin and copeptin relation to some metabolic markers in school-aged obese children.

BACKGROUND: Using Zonulin and Copeptin as potential obesity markers in children, hasn't yet been focused. AIM: To evaluate the association between serum levels of both Zonulin and Copeptin with the obesity markers, and to assess their role as metabolic disturbance predictors in obese children. METHODS: A case-control study comprised 111 Egyptian children (45 males and 66 females); aged 6-10 years to avoid the effect of puberty (prepubertal). They were classified according to their body mass index (BMI) percentiles into: 72 obese (BMI ≥ 95th ), and 39 control ones (BMI > 15th - <85th ), based on the Egyptian Growth Charts for children and adolescents. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured, and body composition analysis, lipid profile, Zonulin, and Copeptin levels were assessed. RESULTS: The obese group showed a significantly higher value of Copeptin and a lower value of Zonulin than the control one Also, the obese group showed significant negative correlations between Zonulin and both anthropometric obesity markers and body composition, whereas Copeptin showed significant positive ones. Moreover, significant positive correlations were found between Copeptin and both body weight and fat distribution. Insignificant correlations were observed between both serum Zonulin and Copeptin levels and blood pressure and lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Zonulin and Copeptin cannot be used as metabolic disturbance predictors, among Egyptian children, as they were insignificantly correlated with lipid profile or blood pressure.

Narrative role of vitamin D receptor with osteoporosis and obesity in a sample of Egyptian females: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is known as one of the cellular regulators for several metabolic pathways indicating its pivotal role in the pathological pathway of numerous diseases. Considering the high frequency of osteoporosis and obesity among women, the current study aimed to explore the prospective assembly of the most frequent two VDR loci, single nucleotide polymorphism SNPs rs731236 (TaqI) and rs7975232 (ApaI) with a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis (skeletal) and obesity (chronic non-skeletal disorders), in Egyptian women. This was a cross-sectional study, including 97 Egyptian females (25-65 years), randomly chosen, from all employees and workers of the National Research Centre, Egypt. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and molecular genetic analysis were done. RESULTS: The variation of ApaI genotype between the normal and osteoporotic groups denotes a remarkable association of the homozygote ApaI genotype with osteoporosis risk. Among the normal weight group, bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly associated with TaqI VDR gene polymorphism as the presence of the heterozygote genotype was accompanied with higher BMD while the homozygote one was detected with lower BMD. Also, TaqI VDR gene polymorphism was significantly associated with BMI when participants were divided according to the presence of osteoporosis; increased BMI was expressed in the non-osteoporotic women group carrying the homozygote genotype of Taq I VDR gene while the presence of the heterozygote genotype (TaqI) in the osteoporotic group was associated with increased BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The heterozygote TaqI genotype is protective against the osteoporosis phenotype and accompanied with increased BMI among osteoporotic women, while the homozygote ApaI genotype has a significant association with osteoporosis risk.

Association of some dietary ingredients, vitamin D, estrogen, and obesity polymorphic receptor genes with bone mineral density in a sample of obese Egyptian women.

BACKGROUND: Although many environmental factors play an important role in bone mass density (BMD) variation, genetic influences account for 60-85% of individual variance. The aim of this study was to find the interaction between some dietary ingredients, vitamin D, estrogen, and obesity polymorphic receptor genes, among a sample of obese Egyptian women. This was a cross sectional study included 97 women (aged 25-60 years). Data on anthropometry, dietary intake, BMD, biochemical, and genetic analyses were collected. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was high among women had dominant Taq1 vitamin D receptor gene while osteoporosis was less common among the homozygous Apa1 receptor gene women. Both genes in their two forms did not show any effect on serum vitamin D. Heterozygous types of osteoporotic women carried both genes revealed a slight but significant decrease in level of serum calcium. Xba1 estrogen receptor gene was identified only in a homozygous type while the heterozygous Pvu11 estrogen receptors gene has been identified among both osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic women, this gene was associated with higher BMI in both groups compared to the homozygous receptor gene. Mutant types of genotype FTOrs99 and FTOrs80 obesity receptors genes were less common (4.44%, 11%) among participants. Both of these genes were associated with the highest value of BMI and caloric daily intake, fat, and saturated fatty acid that were more prominent among osteoporotic women. CONCLUSION: There is significant association between vitamin D, estrogen, obesity receptors genes, special nutrients, and osteoporosis. Increased BMI, calories, and fat intake lead to rise of genetic predisposition and susceptibility to osteoporosis.

Association Between Visceral Adipose Tissue and Estradiol with Bone Health among Obese Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) which is associated with a higher risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) shows adverse effects on bone health. Moreover, MS is associated with high concentrations of serum estradiol (E2), which is essential for bone, as it inhibits bone resorption. This study aimed to investigate the impact of visceral fat and serum E2 levels on bone health markers (vitamin D, C-terminal peptide, Ca and BMD) in obese women with and without MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 obese women, with and without MS. Waist Circumference (WC) was measured in cm. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was assessed by energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), VAT was evaluated using Body Composition Analyzer "Tanita". Serum E2, C-terminal peptide and vitamin D (Vit. D) were assessed using ELISA technique. Serum calcium (Ca), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (Tchol), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) were also assessed. RESULTS: In women with MS, VAT showed significant positive correlations with Body Mass Index (BMI), WC and FBS. Whereas, in women without MS, VAT showed significant positive correlations with BMI, TG, age and significant negative correlation with E2. On the other hand, in women with MS, estradiol (E2) had significant negative correlation with age and significant positive correlations with BMD, BMI, FBS and body weight. While, in obese women without MS, it had significant negative correlations with Ca, VAT, age and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In obese women with MS, increased VAT, higher BMI, older age and low E2 levels have clinical significance and hence, they should be considered when predicting bone health risk.