Higher lipopolysaccharide binding protein and chemerin concentrations were associated with metabolic syndrome features in pediatric subjects with abdominal obesity during a lifestyle intervention

Abstract

Background: Elevated circulating plasma levels of both lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) and chemerin are reported in patients with obesity, but few studies are available on lifestyle intervention programs. We investigated the association of both LBP and chemerin plasma levels with metabolic syndrome (MetS) outcomes in a lifestyle intervention in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity Methods: Twenty‐nine patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial were selected. The lifestyle intervention with a 2‐month intensive phase and a subse-quent 10‐month follow‐up consisted of a moderate calorie‐restricted diet, recommendations to increase physical activity levels, and nutritional education. Results: Weight loss was accompanied by a significant reduction in MetS prevalence (−43%; p = 0.009). Chemerin (p = 0.029) and LBP (p = 0.033) plasma levels were significantly reduced at 2 months and 12 months, respectively. At the end of intervention, MetS components were associated with both LBP (p = 0.017) and chemerin (p < 0.001) plasma levels. Conclusions: We describe for the first time a reduction in both LBP and chemerin plasma levels and its association with MetS risk factors after a lifestyle intervention program in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. Therefore, LBP and chemerin plasma levels could be used as biomarkers for the progression of cardiovascular risk in pediatric popula-tions.