Human paraoxonase-1 activity and serum adipokines: Relation to childhood obesity

Obesity is a nutritional health problem that has a great increasing prevalence worldwide. Human paraoxonase-1 and adipokines have an important role in regulating physiological operations in obesity. Fifty children with simple obesity were enrolled in the present study years and 40 non-obese healthy children were enrolled as a control group. Obese children were recruited from the Child Health Clinic in Medical Research Centre of Excellence, National Research Center. Serum PON-1, adiponectin and leptin were measured in all subjects. PON1 enzymatic activity was determined by significantly lower values in the obese children compared with the normal-weight children. Obese children had significantly lower adiponectin mean value and higher leptin mean levels. Multiple regression analysis was applied to recognize factors influencing Paraoxonase levels. HOMA-IR and leptin were found to be the most effective factors predicting the paraoxonase level in obese children. Obesity in children is associated with decreased levels of PON-1 and serum adiponectin and increased serum leptin and this may enhance the appearance of complications as atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome.