Opposite Association of Adropin Concentrations with Obesity in Prepubertal Children Compared with Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and plasma adropin levels in two cohorts of children at two different ages. METHODS: Adropin concentrations were measured in 71 prepubertal and 41 pubertal children with obesity and their age- and sex-matched normal weight counterparts (69 prepubertal and 42 pubertal children). Information was available in these children on insulin levels, lipid profile, and leptin levels. Adropin levels were measured by using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: Plasma adropin levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in prepubertal than pubertal children. Adropin concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in prepubertal girls than in prepubertal boys but significantly lower (P < 0.001) in pubertal girls than in pubertal boys. Prepubertal boys and girls with obesity had significantly higher adropin levels (P < 0.001) than their normal weight counterparts. In contrast, no differences in adropin levels were observed in pubertal children when comparing children with obesity and normal weight boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: An important decrease in adropin levels in pubertal children compared with prepubertal children was shown as well as a differing association of adropin with obesity depending on age. These findings suggest a possible relationship between adropin levels and centrally regulated sex hormones involved in pubertal development.