Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), hepatosteatosis, and insulin resistance (IR) in obese children, and to evaluate the potential role of LRG1 as a biomarker in these metabolic conditions.

Methods

A total of 172 children (100 obese, 72 non-obese) were enrolled. Obese subjects were further grouped by hepatosteatosis and IR status. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and inflammatory markers including LRG1, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated. Associations between these markers and metabolic parameters were analyzed.

Results

Obese children had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), BMI Standard Deviation Scores (SDS), waist and upper arm circumferences, triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, total and percentage of body fat (PBF), and elevated systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p<0.001). Laboratory findings revealed glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the obese group (p<0.05). LRG1 levels did not differ by obesity or hepatosteatosis status but were significantly lower in those with IR (p=0.03). LRG1 was negatively correlated with waist circumference, DBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, and LDL-C, and positively with HDL-C (p<0.05). Adiponectin showed inverse correlations with waist circumference, SBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, TG, and a positive correlation with HDL-C (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Findings suggest LRG1 may not serve as a direct biomarker for hepatosteatosis in obese children but is negatively associated with IR and dyslipidemia. These results highlight a complex role for LRG1 in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and support further longitudinal and pathophysiological studies.