Asprosin and Neuregulin 4 in Obesity in Children

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is a major problem in the nutritional aspect of childhood and is becoming increasingly important. The objective of this research was to examine the fluctuations in concentrations of asprosin and neuregulin 4, novel and significant adipokines, in obese pediatric individuals. Materials and Methods: In this study, comparisons were made between serum levels of asprosin and neuregulin 4, along with various anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters associated with obesity, among 40 children with obesity and 40 children with normal weight who sought medical attention at the Child Health and Diseases outpatient clinic of Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital between September 2021 and September 2022. Results: The study showed that of the 80 cases, 35 (43.8%) were male and 45 (56.2%) were female. The average BMI of the obese individuals was 27.27, with values ranging from 25.04 to 47.78. The serum levels of asprosin were similar between the two groups. Neuregulin 4 and HOMA-IR values exhibited statistically significant elevation in the obese group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The research findings indicated that neuregulin 4 levels were greater in children with normal weight compared to those with children with obesity. Additional investigations are warranted to comprehensively grasp the impact of asprosin and neuregulin 4 on pediatric obesity.