Associations of Adipocyte-derived Versican and Macrophage-derived Biglycan with Body Adipose Tissue and Hepatosteatosis in Obese Children
Reyhan Deveci Sevim1, Mustafa Gök2, Özge Çevik3, Ömer Erdoğan3, Sebla Güneş1, Tolga Ünüvar1, Ahmet Anık11Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Aydın, Turkey2Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Aydın, Turkey; University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Research Affiliate in Sydney School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
3Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Aydın, Turkey
INTRODUCTION: In animal models of obesity, adipocyte-derived versican, and macrophage-derived biglycan play a crucial role in mediating adipose tissue inflammation. The aim was to investigate levels of versican and biglycan in obese children and any potential association with body adipose tissue and hepatosteatosis.
METHODS: Serum levels of versican, biglycan, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured by ELISA. Fat deposition in the liver, spleen, and subcutaneous adipose tissue was calculated using the IDEAL-IQ sequences in magnetic resonance images. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using the Tanita BC 418 MA device.
RESULTS: The study included 36 obese and 30 healthy children. The age of obese children was 13.6 (7.5-17.9) years, while the age of normal weight children was 13.0 (7.2-17.9) years (p=0.693). Serum levels of versican, hsCRP, and IL-6 were higher in the obese group (p=0.044, p=0.039, p=0.024, respectively), while no significant difference was found in biglycan levels between the groups. There was a positive correlation between versican, biglycan, hsCRP, and IL-6 (r=0.381 p=0.002, r=0.281 p=0.036, rho=0.426 p=0.001, r=0.424 p=0.001, rho=0.305 p=0.017, rho=0.748 p<0.001, respectively). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed higher segmental and global hepatic steatosis in obese children. There was no relationship between hepatic fat content and versican, biglycan, IL-6, and hsCRP. Versican, biglycan, hsCRP, and IL-6 were not predictive of hepatosteatosis. Body fat percentage >32% provided a predictive sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 70.5% for hepatosteatosis [area under the curve (AUC): 0.819, p<0.001]. Similarly, a body mass index standard deviation score >1.75 yielded a predictive sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 69.8% for predicting hepatosteatosis (AUC: 0.789, p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Obese children have higher levels of versican, hsCRP, and IL-6, and more fatty liver than their healthy peers.
Manuscript Language: English
