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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Metabolite profiles and the risk of metabolic syndrome in early childhood: a case-control study

Authors: Sandi M. Azab, Russell J. de Souza, Amel Lamri, Meera Shanmuganathan, Zachary Kroezen, Karleen M. Schulze, Dipika Desai, Natalie C. Williams, Katherine M. Morrison, Stephanie A. Atkinson, Koon K. Teo, Philip Britz-McKibbin, Sonia S. Anand

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Defining the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children remains challenging. Furthermore, a dichotomous MetS diagnosis can limit the power to study associations. We sought to characterize the serum metabolite signature of the MetS in early childhood using high-throughput metabolomic technologies that allow comprehensive profiling of metabolic status from a biospecimen.

Methods

In the Family Atherosclerosis Monitoring In earLY life (FAMILY) prospective birth cohort study, we selected 228 cases of MetS and 228 matched controls among children age 5 years. In addition, a continuous MetS risk score was calculated for all 456 participants. Comprehensive metabolite profiling was performed on fasting serum samples using multisegment injection-capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. Multivariable regression models were applied to test metabolite associations with MetS adjusting for covariates of screen time, diet quality, physical activity, night sleep, socioeconomic status, age, and sex.

Results

Compared to controls, thirteen serum metabolites were identified in MetS cases when using multivariable regression models, and using the quantitative MetS score, an additional eight metabolites were identified. These included metabolites associated with gluconeogenesis (glucose (odds ratio (OR) 1.55 [95% CI 1.25–1.93]) and glutamine/glutamate ratio (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.67–1.00])) and the alanine-glucose cycle (alanine (OR 1.41 [95% CI 1.16–1.73])), amino acids metabolism (tyrosine (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.10–1.63]), threonine (OR 1.24 [95% CI 1.02–1.51]), monomethylarginine (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.09–1.64]) and lysine (OR 1.23 [95% CI 1.01–1.50])), tryptophan metabolism (tryptophan (OR 0.78 [95% CI 0.64–0.95])), and fatty acids metabolism (carnitine (OR 1.24 [95% CI 1.02–1.51])). The quantitative MetS risk score was more powerful than the dichotomous outcome in consistently detecting this metabolite signature.

Conclusions

A distinct metabolite signature of pediatric MetS is detectable in children as young as 5 years old and may improve risk assessment at early stages of development.

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Title: Metabolite profiles and the risk of metabolic syndrome in early childhood: a case-control study
Authors: Sandi M. Azab
Russell J. de Souza
Amel Lamri
Meera Shanmuganathan
Zachary Kroezen
Karleen M. Schulze
Dipika Desai
Natalie C. Williams
Katherine M. Morrison
Stephanie A. Atkinson
Koon K. Teo
Philip Britz-McKibbin
Sonia S. Anand
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02162-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Metabolite profiles and the risk of metabolic syndrome in early childhood: a case-control study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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