Trajectory patterns for continuous metabolic syndrome score in childhood and the cardiovascular risk in adolescence

We explored the association between the trajectory of the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS) in childhood with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which are known to increase cardiovascular disease risk in adolescence. The trajectory of cMetS in childhood (from 3 to 12 years of age) was identified in 833 children who participated in the Ewha Birth and Growth Study. The associations between cMetS and hs-CRP and CIMT were analyzed in 204 out of 833 children who participated in the follow-up at 13–15 years of age and measured hs-CRP and CIMT. Among the 833 children, three groups were classified: cMetS maintained at a low level (n = 198, 23.77%), middle level (n = 530, 63.63%), and at high levels (n = 105, 12.61%). The group with a stable-high cMetS trajectory showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels, and the statistical significance was maintained after adjusting for covariates. This study found that a consistently high cMetS in childhood was significantly associated with higher hs-CRP levels in adolescents, suggesting that it is necessary to intervene in metabolic risk factors early in life to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

Circulating extracellular DNA is in association with continuous metabolic syndrome score in healthy adolescents

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation that eventually leads to metabolic complications. Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) is a damage-associated molecular pattern. Extracellular mitochondrial DNA can activate innate immunity. We hypothesized that ecDNA, especially of mitochondrial origin could be associated with components of the metabolic syndrome in young healthy probands. In a cross-sectional study healthy adolescents (n=1249) provided blood samples. Anthropometric data, blood pressure and blood counts were assessed. In addition, biochemical analysis of sera or plasma was conducted including the quantification of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) as a marker of oxidative stress induced by neutrophil or monocyte activation. Plasma ecDNA was isolated and measured using fluorometry. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA were quantified using real time PCR. Males had higher total plasma ecDNA (15 (11-21) vs 11 (8-17) ng/ml; median (IQR)), nuclear (1760 (956-3273) vs 1153 (600-2292) GE/ml) and mitochondrial DNA (37181 (14836-90896) vs 30089 (12587-72286) GE/ml). EcDNA correlated positively with the continuous metabolic syndrome score (r= 0.158 for males and r= 0.134 for females). Stronger correlations were found between ecDNA of mitochondrial origin and AOPP (r= 0.202 and 0.186 for males and females respectively). Multivariate regression analysis revealed associations of nuclear DNA with leukocyte and erythrocyte counts. The results of this study on healthy adolescents show that circulating ecDNA is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome, not with obesity per se. The association between mitochondrial ecDNA and AOPP requires further attention as it supports a potential role of mitochondria-induced sterile inflammation in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.

Low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal resistance are associated with metabolic risk in schoolchildren

Background Low levels of physical fitness are associated with metabolic disorders in adults. However, this relationship has been little explored in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is an association between physical fitness related to health and the presence of metabolic risk in schoolchildren. Methods The sample for this cross-sectional study was composed of 1251 schoolchildren of both genders between 7 and 17 years of age. Three indicators of physical fitness related to health were evaluated: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), flexibility and abdominal resistance. The continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS) was calculated by using the sum of the Z scores of the following indicators: body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c and LDL-c) and triglycerides. Subsequently, the cMetS was dichotomized, considering the presence or absence of metabolic risk. The data were analyzed using prevalence ratio (PR) values and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using Poisson regression. Results A higher prevalence of metabolic risk was found among students with low levels of CRF (PR: 1.48; CI: 1.10–1.98) and abdominal resistance (PR: 1.45; CI: 1.08–1.95). No association with flexibility was found. Conclusions Low levels of CRF and abdominal resistance are associated with the presence of metabolic risk in schoolchildren.