Uric acid and sCD163 as biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction and MAFLD in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity

Sofie Orry; Dorthe Dalstrup Jakobsen; Nickolai Malte Kristensen; Jens Meldgaard Bruun

doi:10.1515/jpem-2023-0228

Article

Uric acid and sCD163 as biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction and MAFLD in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity

Sofie Orry , Dorthe Dalstrup Jakobsen , Nickolai Malte Kristensen and Jens Meldgaard Bruun

Published/Copyright: June 8, 2023

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From the journal Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Volume 36 Issue 7

Abstract

Objectives

The prevalence of childhood obesity increases globally, and noninvasive methods are needed to identify metabolic dysfunction and obesity-related complications such as pediatric metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We investigated whether uric acid (UA) and the macrophage marker soluble form of cysteine scavenger receptor CD163 (sCD163) can be used as biomarkers for deteriorated metabolism or pediatric MAFLD in children with overweight or obesity.

Methods

Cross-sectional clinical and biochemical data from 94 children with overweight or obesity was included. Surrogate liver markers were calculated, and correlations were investigated using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation test.

Results

UA and sCD163 correlated with BMI standard deviation score (r=0.23, p<0.05; r=0.33, p<0.01) and body fat (r=0.24, p<0.05; r=0.27, p=0.01). UA correlated with triglycerides (ρ=0.21, p<0.05), fat free mass (r=0.33, p<0.01), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (r=0.39, p<0.01). sCD163 correlated with the pediatric NAFLD fibrosis score (r=0.28, p<0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.28, p<0.01). No correlation was found between UA and pediatric MAFLD.

Conclusions

UA and sCD163 was identified as markers of a deranged metabolic profile, thus acting as easily accessible biomarkers for obesity and an obesity-related deranged metabolism. Furthermore, increasing levels of sCD163 could be a useful biomarker of pediatric MAFLD. Future prospective studies are warranted.

Keywords: CD163; children; MAFLD; obesity; overweight; uric acid

Corresponding author: Sofie Orry, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 11, Entrance A, 8200 Aarhus N, Aarhus, Denmark, E-mail: sofieorry@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

We thank the participants, Julemærkefonden, and the staff at Julemærkehjemmet Hobro and Julemærkehjemmet Fjordmark for collaborating during this study.

Research funding: This research was funded by Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (SDCA) which is partially funded by an unrestricted donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Sygeforsikring ‘’danmark’’ and Arla Foods Amba (unrestricted grant).
Author contributions: The original idea of the study originated from JB and DJ. Data collection was done by DJ and data analysis was done by SO. SO wrote first draft of the manuscript and generated tables and figures. All authors contributed to the review process and the submitted version was approved by all authors.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the local Committee of Ethics (Region Midtjylland no: 1-10-72-73-20).

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Received: 2023-05-14

Accepted: 2023-05-22

Published Online: 2023-06-08

Published in Print: 2023-07-26

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2023-0228

Keywords for this article

CD163; children; MAFLD; obesity; overweight; uric acid