Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction, endothelial plasma markers, and traditional metabolic parameters in children with adiposity

Abstract

Background/Purpose: To investigate the correlations among endothelial function assessment parameters, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-related biomarkers, and traditional risk factors in adipose children. Methods: We enrolled adipose children aged 7–18 years between July 2014 and August 2016 as well as normal-weight controls from the outpatient clinic. Vascular measurements including echocardiography, carotid intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured. Venous blood samples including traditional metabolic and endothelial dysfunction parameters were analyzed. Participants were grouped as adipose vs. normal-weight and as adipose with hypertension vs. adipose without hypertension. Clinical presentations, laboratory data, and cardiovascular measurement were compared. Results: Of the 105 enrolled children, 85 were adipose. Adipose children had higher systolic blood pressure, larger left ventricular (LV) mass, and adverse traditional metabolic biomarkers. FMD was significantly reduced (8.25 (5.32–12.06) % vs. 12.49 (7.18–16.58) %, p = 0.018) in the adipose group. PWV was markedly increased (4.65 (4.2–5.5) m/sec vs. 3.95 (3.38–4.35) m/sec, p < 0.001) in the hypertensive adipose children. Endothelial dysfunction parameters were not significantly changed in this study. Conclusion: Adipose children were at higher risk of hypertension and LV hypertrophy. FMD, PWV and traditional cardiovascular biomarkers can detect subtle vascular changes. Hypertension is an important sign of arterial involvement in adipose children. Although ADMA-related biomarkers were not statistically significant, future studies are needed to confirm its correlation with adiposity and hypertension in children. The early detection and prevention of endothelial dysfunction may decrease the rate of progression to cardiovascular consequences in later life. Keywords: Adiposity, Children, Nitric oxide