Research Article Details
Article ID: | A01490 |
PMID: | 34726357 |
Source: | J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab |
Title: | Increased hepcidin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese prepubertal children: a further piece to the complex puzzle of metabolic derangements. |
Abstract: | INTRODUCTION: Several studies on obese youths and adults have reported increased hepcidin levels, which seems to be related to metabolic and iron metabolism alterations. The complete mechanisms involved in hepcidin increase remain to be elucidated, and particularly its role in the development of other known complications such as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD in prepubertal children might be of special interest in understanding the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasonography, lipid profile, liver function, oxidative stress, inflammatory state, and iron metabolism were studied in 42 obese prepubertal children and 33 healthy controls. We, therefore, evaluated the presence of possible correlations between Hepcidin and the other metabolic variables, and the possible association between NAFLD and iron metabolism. RESULTS: Hepcidin levels were significantly increased in the obese prepubertal children (p=0.001) with significant differences between obese children with and without NAFLD (p=0.01). Blood iron was lower in obese children (p=0.009). In the obese group, a negative correlation between hepcidin and both blood iron levels (p=0.01) and LagPHASE (p=0.02) was found. In addition, a positive association between hepcidin and NAFLD (p=0.03) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that an increase in hepcidin levels may represent an early step in iron metabolism derangements and metabolic alterations, including NAFLD, in prepubertal obese children. |
DOI: | 10.1515/jpem-2021-0070 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
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S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S04 | Anti-oxidative stress | oxidative stress | α-tocopherol: antioxidant | Vitamin E | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
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I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |