BACKGROUND: In adults, both metabolic alterations related to syndrome X and lower plasma vitamin E levels have been associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES: To study the presence of metabolic alterations related to syndrome X and to determine the plasma levels of vitamin E in obese children with acanthosis nigricans. METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 42 obese children [15 with acanthosis nigricans (AN) and 27 without]. Thirteen healthy non-obese children were also studied. After a 12-hour fast, plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and vitamin E were determined. The insulin resistance index was also calculated. Differences between groups were determined using ANOVA. RESULTS: Obese children with AN showed higher plasma levels of insulin and triglycerides and lower plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and vitamin E, as well as a higher insulin resistance index than non-obese children and obese children without AN. CONCLUSIONS: In obese children, the presence of acanthosis nigricans is linked to a group of metabolic alterations associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND: In adults, both metabolic alterations related to syndrome X and lower plasma vitamin E levels have been associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES: To study the presence of metabolic alterations related to syndrome X and to determine the plasma levels of vitamin E in obesechildren with acanthosis nigricans. METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 42 obesechildren [15 with acanthosis nigricans (AN) and 27 without]. Thirteen healthy non-obesechildren were also studied. After a 12-hour fast, plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and vitamin E were determined. The insulin resistance index was also calculated. Differences between groups were determined using ANOVA. RESULTS:Obesechildren with AN showed higher plasma levels of insulin and triglycerides and lower plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and vitamin E, as well as a higher insulin resistance index than non-obesechildren and obesechildren without AN. CONCLUSIONS: In obesechildren, the presence of acanthosis nigricans is linked to a group of metabolic alterations associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Authors: Mindy Dopler Nelson; Lana M Widman; Richard Ted Abresch; Kimber Stanhope; Peter J Havel; Dennis M Styne; Craig M McDonald Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2007 Impact factor: 1.985