Research & Innovation
Publications
Increased O-GlcNAcylation in Leukocytes from Overweight Pediatric Subjects
PMU Author
Silvia Dossena
All Authors
Alessia Remigante, Sara Spinelli, Gianluca Rizzo, Daniele Caruso, Angela Marino, Elisabetta Straface, Silvia Dossena, Rossana Morabito
Journal association
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Abstract
Type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a metabolic disorder. Childhood overweight or obesity raises the risk for developing T2D later in life. Early identification of at-risk individuals is fundamental for disease prevention and patient management. The scope of this pilot study was to explore whether leukocyte protein O-GlcNAc modification is elevated in an overweight pediatric cohort. Eight overweight and eight normal-weight children aged 3-13 years were recruited at the Papardo General Hospital (Messina, Italy). Physical exams, complete blood tests, and determination of leukocyte protein O-GlcNAcylation were carried out. Protein O-GlcNAcylation was higher in leucocytes from overweight children compared to normal-weight children, and was significantly correlated with BMI, metabolic markers (LDL-cholesterol/triglycerides), and the inflammatory marker CRP. This study suggests that leukocyte protein O-GlcNAcylation may represent a novel biomarker for the early detection of metabolic abnormalities that may lead to the development of pre-diabetes or T2D later in life.
Keywords
LEUKOCYTES, O-GlcNAcylation, Pediatric overweight, Pre-diabetes, type II diabetes mellitus