The relationship between leptin adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in healthy children

Purpose : Leptin and adiponectin are two representative adipocytokines. Leptin increases but adiponectin decreases with obesity and insulin resistance. We aimed to study the relationship between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in healthy children. Methods : Seventy-seven healthy children (36 boys and 41 girls were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed and the percentage of weight for height (%WFH was calculated in each subject. Fasting plasma levels of glucose insulin leptin adiponectin testosterone estradiol and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG were measured. The free androgen index (FAI was used as a representative of testosterone bioactivity. The homeostasis model assessment was used to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR. Results : In the boys HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with age pubertal stage free androgen index (FAI leptin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. HOMA-IR was also significantly related to age percentage of weight for height (%WFH pubertal stage estradiol leptin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio in girls. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age%WFHand FAI in the boys (P