Serum bilirubin is inversely associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents
Journal
Atherosclerosis
Journal Volume
203
Journal Issue
2
Pages
563-568
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and a cyroprotectant. Low serum bilirubin is associated with atherosclerosis. Little is known about its role in metabolic syndrome (MS) among children and adolescents. Methods: We examined 4723 children and adolescents aged 12-17 years with reliable measures of various serum hepatic profiles and metabolic risks from Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of the MS was from 6.6 ± 1.2% in the lowest quartile to 2.1 ± 1.9% in the highest quartile of the concentration of total bilirubin. The graded association remained significant after the adjustment of other co-variates. The odds ratios for the MS were around 0.29 (0.08-0.99) and 0.23 (0.08-0.65) for the upper two quartiles when using the lowest quartile as reference for the concentration of total bilirubin. The quartiles of the serum total bilirubin levels were inversely correlated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and insulin while not associated with the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Conclusions: The serum total bilirubin levels are inversely correlated with the prevalence of the MS. The mechanism of the association between MS and total bilirubin may be related to the insulin resistance status. ? 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
bilirubin; insulin; adolescent; article; bilirubin blood level; child; clinical feature; controlled study; disease association; disease marker; female; groups by age; health survey; homeostasis; human; insulin resistance; major clinical study; male; metabolic syndrome X; prevalence; priority journal; protein blood level; reliability; school child; Adolescent; Antioxidants; Bilirubin; C-Reactive Protein; Child; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metabolic Syndrome X; Odds Ratio; Prevalence
Type
journal article