Changes in Dynamic Insulin and Gastrointestinal Hormone Secretion in Obese Children

Background: Disturbed satiety and hunger perception in obese individuals has been reported, however data on the dynamic changes of hormonal mediators are sparse. Objective: To evaluate the secretion pattern of insulin, ghrelin, peptide-YY (PYY), and amylin via 0 to 180 min oral glucose tolerance testing in obese and lean children. Subjects and Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted on lean (n=9) and obese (n=20) Caucasian children of comparable age, gender, and pubertal stage. Serial blood samples were collected. Results: Compared to baseline, levels of acylated ghrelin showed a significant decrease in lean (p<0.05) but not in obese children. PYY increase was blunted and of shorter duration (60 min) in obese children. Amylin levels increased in both groups, and attained significantly higher levels in obese children (p<0.05). Conclusion: Glucose stimulated gut hormone secretion differed between obese and lean children, and may explain the disturbed satiety observed in obese children.