Abstract
Objective: To evaluate plasma total, free (FL) and protein-bound (BL) leptin in children with Down's syndrome (DS) and different degrees of adiposity and its relationship with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3).
Subjects: A total of 24 prepubertal clinically euthyroid DS children.
Methods: Plasma leptin, TSH, FT4, and FT3 concentrations were determined by immunometric/radioimmunologic assays. FL and BL were evaluated by fast protein liquid chromatography.
Results: In DS children, leptin circulates in two fractions, corresponding to BL and FL. The amount of BL and FL is negatively and positively correlated to body mass index (BMI), respectively. Plasma leptin concentrations correlate with BMI, but not with TSH, FT4, and FT3.
Conclusions: In prepubertal DS children, leptin circulates as both BL and FL, correlates with adiposity and its concentration appears independent of thyroid function.
Sponsorship: MIUR, Università degli Studi di Milano, Banca Popolare di Milano Foundation.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Ms Paola Assi and Giovanna Miccichè for expert technical collaboration.
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Guarantor: P Magni.
Contributors: PM and MMC were responsible for the study concept and writing of the manuscript. MR and ED were responsible of the biochemical studies and the literature search. FL was responsible for the clinical management. ER and MM were responsible for the critical revision of the manuscript.
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Magni, P., Ruscica, M., Dozio, E. et al. Free and bound leptin in prepubertal children with Down's syndrome and different degrees of adiposity. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1547–1549 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602000
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602000
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