Relationship between α-MSH, soluble leptin receptor, MC4R polymorphism and BMI in Thai children and adolescents

In order to evaluate the mechanism of disturbance of melanocortin signaling in different groups of Thai children and adolescents classified according to body mass index (BMI) pe rcentile for age by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts, and �-melanocortin stimulating hormone (�-MSH), soluble leptin receptor and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) polymorphism were studied. 149 male and 127 female children and adolescent Thai subjects with age range between 5-19 years were selected. Statistically significant differ ence of serum leptin receptor concentration between under weight (< 5th percentile), possible at risk for underweight (between 5th and 15th percentile), probably healthy (between 15th and 85th percentile); at risk for overweight (between the 85th and 95th percentile) and overweight (over the 95th percentile) were found. The levels of �-MSH were not significantly different when comparing the gro ups. Heterozygous of MC4R polymorphism (Val103Ile) were found in underweight, possible at risk for underweight and probably healthy group which might have been the cause of lower BMI for age even they have had normal serum �-MSH concentration. Using the logistic regression analysis, the group of risk for being overweight and overweight was statistically significant with �-MSH. This study supported a positive correlation between �-MSH and BMI with ages of Thai children and adolescents group.