Relationship between α-MSH, soluble leptin receptor, MC4R polymorphism and BMI in Thai children and adolescents

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tungtrongchitr, Rungsunn | Phonrat, Benjaluck | Yamborisut, Uruwan | Popruk, Supaluk | Tungtrongchitr, Anchalee

Affiliations: Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand | Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand | Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand | Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand | Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok, Thailand

Note: [] Correspondence: Anchalee Tungtrongchitr, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 1 Pranok road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Tel.: +66 0 2354 9100 ext 2081; Fax: +66 0 2644 7934; E-mail: siatc.an@gmail.com

Abstract: In order to evaluate the mechanism of disturbance of melanocortin signaling in different groups of Thai children and adolescents classified according to body mass index (BMI) percentile for age by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts, and α-melanocortin stimulating hormone (α-MSH), soluble leptin receptor and melanocortin −4 receptor (MC4R) polymorphism were studied. 149 male and 127 female children and adolescent Thai subjects with age range between 5–19 years were selected. Statistically significant difference of serum leptin receptor concentration between under weight (< 5th percentile), possible at risk for underweight (between 5th and 15th percentile), probably healthy (between 15th and 85th percentile); at risk for overweight (between the 85th and 95th percentile) and overweight (over the 95th percentile) were found. The levels of α-MSH were not significantly different when comparing the groups. Heterozygous of MC4R polymorphism (Val103Ile) were found in underweight, possible at risk for underweight and probably healthy group which might have been the cause of lower BMI for age even they have had normal serum α-MSH concentration. Using the logistic regression analysis, the group of risk for being overweight and overweight was statistically significant with α-MSH. This study supported a positive correlation between α-MSH and BMI with ages of Thai children and adolescents group.

Keywords: α-melanocortin stimulating hormone, soluble leptin receptor, melanocortin -4 receptor, body mass index

DOI: 10.3233/JPB-2011-0034

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 303-308, 2011