C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a natural regulator of adipogenesis playing a role in the development of obesity in childhood. To evaluate CNP plasma levels in normal-weight (N), overweight (OW) and obese adolescents (O). Eighty two subjects (age:12.8 ± 2.4, years) without cardiac dysfunction were enrolled and CNP plasma levels were measured by RIA. NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, AGEs, reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and standard clinical chemistry parameters were also measured. O and OW adolescents had higher values of BMI and fat mass than N. CNP levels were significantly lower in OW:4.79 [3.29–21.15] and O:3.81 [1.55–13.4] than in N:13.21 [7.6–37.8];P< 0.0001 N vs O,P= 0.0003 N vs OW). LogCNP values correlated significantly and inversely with BMI z-score, FM%, TF% and circulating levels of CRP, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, in addition to an inverse relationship with skin AGEs and a direct correlation with RHI. LogCNP was also inversely associated with LogNT-proBNP and LogMR-proANP values. Using ROC analysis the risk of obesity resulted significantly (P≪0.0001) associated with CNP values (AUC = 0.9724). The results suggest that CNP may play a more important role than BNP and ANP related peptides, as risk marker of obesity, in addition to its involvement in adipogenesis and endothelial dysfunction.

Ry S D, Cabiati M, Bianchi V, et al.Clinica Chimica Acta, 2016, 460:172-177.