A 24-month metformin treatment study of children with obesity: Changes in circulating GDF-15 and associations with changes in body weight and visceral fat.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Metformin treatment for 24 months in children with obesity lowers body mass index (BMI), reduces liver fat, and normalizes endocrine-metabolic parameters.

OBJECTIVE:

Here we study whether circulating GDF-15 levels were raised by such metformin treatment and whether they related to changes in body weight and visceral fat in children with obesity.

METHODS:

The study population consisted of 18 pre-pubertal/early pubertal children with obesity who had participated in a randomized double-blind clinical trial receiving metformin (850 mg/day) or placebo for 24 months. Circulating GDF-15, BMI and abdominal visceral and liver fat (magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 months.

RESULTS:

Results showed that metformin-treated children had higher GDF-15 levels at 6 and 12 months. Higher rises of circulating GDF-15 associated with more loss of body weight and visceral fat.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, the concept that GDF-15 is among the mediators of metformin's normalizing effects in individuals with obesity is herewith extended into childhood.

• Authors: Gemma Carreras-Badosa, Ariadna Gómez-Vilarrubla, Berta Mas-Parés, José-María Martínez-Calcerrada, Silvia Xargay-Torrent, Anna Prats-Puig, Elsa Puerto-Carranza, Ferran Díaz-Roldán, Francis de Zegher, Lourdes Ibañez, Judit Bassols, Abel López-Bermejo
• Journal: Pediatric obesity (Pediatr Obes) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. e12845 (02 2022) ISSN: 2047-6310 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34427052 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2021 World Obesity Federation.

Chemical References

• GDF15 protein, human
• Growth Differentiation Factor 15
• Metformin

Topics

• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight
• Child
• Double-Blind Method
• Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (blood)
• Humans
• Intra-Abdominal Fat
• Metformin (therapeutic use)
• Pediatric Obesity (drug therapy)