Polyamines Are Increased in Obese Children and Are Related to Markers of Oxidative/nitrosative Stress and Angiogenesis

Context: Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are polycationic amines derived from arginine, which is the precursor of nitric oxide (NO). Due to the close relationship between the metabolism of polyamines and NO metabolism, the alteration in polyamine homeostasis can affect the NO bioavailability at the endothelium.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that childhood obesity is associated with a significant modification of blood polyamines and to investigate the presence of correlation between these molecules, circulating markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.

Design And Setting: This was an observational analytical case-control study conducted at one tertiary care center.

Patients And Methods: The study was performed with 102 children aged 7-14 yr (60 obese, 42 nonobese). Blood polyamines were measured by HPLC. Metabolites of the NO pathway, oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory markers, adhesion molecules, and adipocytokines were also determined.

Results: Polyamine levels were significantly higher in obese children. Among them, spermine was the polyamine with the more discriminatory power, taking into account the obesity. In all children, spermine levels were related to biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, and leptin and to adhesion molecules, soluble E-selectin, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Only in obese children was there a positive correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor and a negative correlation with 3'-nitrotyrosine levels.

Conclusions: Polyamine levels are increased in childhood obesity and correlated to markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress and angiogenesis. This finding implicates polyamine metabolism in the complications of obesity. Their potential utility as a clinical tool remains to be elucidated.