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Global metabolomic profiling targeting childhood obesity in the Hispanic population
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Global metabolomic profiling targeting childhood obesity in the Hispanic population

Nancy F Butte, Yan Liu, Issa F Zakeri, Robert P Mohney, Nitesh Mehta, V Saroja Voruganti, Harald Göring, Shelley A Cole and Anthony G Comuzzie
The American journal of clinical nutrition, v 102(2), pp 256-267
Aug 2015
PMID: 26085512
url
https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.111872View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome - etiology Pediatric Obesity - physiopathology Oxidative Stress Humans Hispanic Americans Child, Preschool Male Overweight - metabolism Metabolic Syndrome - ethnology Female Child Principal Component Analysis Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology Texas - epidemiology Biomarkers - metabolism Body Mass Index Cross-Sectional Studies Risk Factors Pediatric Obesity - blood Metabolome Biomarkers - blood Overweight - physiopathology Pediatric Obesity - metabolism Energy Metabolism Overweight - blood Pediatric Obesity - ethnology Adolescent Overweight - ethnology Cohort Studies
Metabolomics may unravel important biological pathways involved in the pathophysiology of childhood obesity. We aimed to 1) identify metabolites that differ significantly between nonobese and obese Hispanic children; 2) collapse metabolites into principal components (PCs) associated with obesity and metabolic risk, specifically hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperleptinemia, and hyperuricemia; and 3) identify metabolites associated with energy expenditure and fat oxidation. This trial was a cross-sectional observational study of metabolomics by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses performed on fasting plasma samples from 353 nonobese and 450 obese Hispanic children. Branched-chained amino acids (BCAAs) (Leu, Ile, and Val) and their catabolites, propionylcarnitine and butyrylcarnitine, were significantly elevated in obese children. Strikingly lower lysolipids and dicarboxylated fatty acids were seen in obese children. Steroid derivatives were markedly higher in obese children as were markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. PC6 (BCAAs and aromatic AAs) and PC10 (asparagine, glycine, and serine) made the largest contributions to body mass index, and PC10 and PC12 (acylcarnitines) made the largest contributions to adiposity. Metabolic risk factors and total energy expenditure were associated with PC6, PC9 (AA and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites), and PC10. Fat oxidation was inversely related to PC8 (lysolipids) and positively related to PC16 (acylcarnitines). Global metabolomic profiling in nonobese and obese children replicates the increased BCAA and acylcarnitine catabolism and changes in nucleotides, lysolipids, and inflammation markers seen in obese adults; however, a strong signature of reduced fatty acid catabolism and increased steroid derivatives may be unique to obese children. Metabolic flexibility in fuel use observed in obese children may occur through the activation of alternative intermediary pathways. Insulin resistance, hyperleptinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and oxidative stress and inflammation evident in obese children are associated with distinct metabolomic profiles.

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Collaboration types
Industry collaboration
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Nutrition & Dietetics
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