Children
The Role of Urocortin 2 in Arterial Stiffness and Hypertension in Children with Obesity
By Ulviye Kırlı, Nurcan Cengız, Haşim Olgun and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Childhood obesity is associated with hypertension (HT), arterial stiffness, and increased cardiovascular risk. Urocortin 2 (UCN2), a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor family, exerts vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects; however, its role in obesity-related vascular dysfunction in children remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between circulating UCN2 levels, HT, and arterial stiffness parameters in children with obesity.
Methods
This prospective, single-center, case–control cross-sectional study included 154 children aged 10–18 years: 95 with obesity and 59 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements, serum UCN2 concentrations, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Brachial-based oscillometric pulse wave analysis was performed to obtain estimated pulse wave velocity, augmentation index corrected to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute, central systolic blood pressure, and other hemodynamic parameters. Oscillometric pulse wave analysis was performed to obtain pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index corrected to a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75), central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), and other hemodynamic parameters. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of UCN2 and arterial stiffness.