Original Paper

Adrenarche in Prader-Willi Syndrome Appears Not Related to Insulin Sensitivity and Serum Adiponectin
Nancy Unanue^a, Rodrigo Bazaes^a, Germán Iñiguez^a, Fanny Cortés^b, Alejandra Ávila^a, Verónica Mericq<sup>a

a</sup>Institute of Maternal and Child Research, Faculty of Medicine, and
^bInstitute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2007;67:152-158 (DOI: 10.1159/000096742)

  Key Words

• Prader-Willi
• Adrenarche
• Insulin sensitivity
• Adiponectin

  Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by dysmorphic features, obesity, hypogonadism, hypotonia and mental retardation. Obesity has been linked to insulin resistance and the latter has also been associated with premature adrenarche. Since up to date a controlled study to investigate adrenarche and its hormonal regulation was lacking in PWS, our aim was to assess whether prepubertal PWS patients develop premature adrenarche and its relationship with markers of insulin sensitivity. Fourteen prepubertal children with PWS (6 M, 8 F) and 10 non-syndromal simple obese matched controls (5 M, 5 F) participated (mean age: 7.62 ± 1.84 years). A fasting blood sample was obtained for adrenal and ovarian androgens, sex hormone binding globulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, leptin, adiponectin and a lipid profile. Thereafter an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. PWS patients were smaller at birth and a higher proportion displayed premature pubarche. No differences were found in testosterone, androstenedione, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, homeostatic model assessment-IR, 2-hour insulin, leptin or adiponectin levels. 17-hydroxyprogesterone and DHEAS levels however, were significantly higher in PWS. IGF-I levels were significantly lower in PWS and correlated significantly with height SDS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a higher proportion of premature adrenarche in our PW patients was observed, which was not explained by differences in insulin sensitivity or plasma levels of adipokines and IGF-I.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Nancy Unanue, MD
Casilla: 226-3
Santiago (Chile)
Tel. +56 2 424 8280, Fax +56 2 424 7240
E-Mail nunanue@pediatra.cl

  Article Information

Supported in part by Fondecyt 1000939.

Received: August 15, 2005
Accepted: August 25, 2006
Published online: November 2, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 42