Lifestyle intervention reduces elevated serum retinol binding protein (RBP4) in obese children
Document Actions
Although retinol binding protein (RBP4), a fatty-tissue/liver-derived adipokine-like factor, was proposed as a link between obesity, liver fat and insulin resistance, its role in paediatric obesity, its relationship with subclinical inflammation and its response to lifestyle changes are not elucidated. A total of 21 lean and obese children, matched for age and maturity stage, were studied so as to assess: 1) the status of RBP4 levels in lean vs obese, 2) the relationship between RBP4 levels and subclinical inflammation and 3) the effect of lifestyle intervention on RBP4 levels. Of note, the 3-month randomized and controlled physical activity-based lifestyle intervention was conducted in obese children only. RBP4 levels were significantly higher (P=0.005) in the obese group as compared to the lean group, correlated with indices of obesity, insulin resistance as well as with inflammatory factors (CRP and IL-6, P<0.01), and were reduced by about 30% through lifestyle intervention (P=0.001). Moreover, this RBP4 reduction was correlated with the magnitude of the decrease in inflammatory factors (P=0.01).
Abstract
