Can Serum Salusin-α and Salusin-β Serve as Biomarkers for Early Atherosclerotic Lesions in Obese Children?

Obesity increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Recent studies highlight the role of salusins, bioactive peptides, in its development. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for premature atherosclerosis in obese children based on obesity severity and assess the usefulness of serum salusin-α and salusin-β as early biomarkers. We examined 125 children with simple obesity, divided into two subgroups by BMI-SDS (I: 2-4, II: >4), and we compared them with 33 healthy-weight peers. Obese children had significantly higher serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels, as well as hsCRP, TG, SBP, DBP, and PWV, compared to controls. Only salusin-α levels increased with obesity severity. Salusin-α correlated with BMI SDS and hsCRP, while salusin-β showed no associations. Our findings suggest that salusin-α could be an early inflammation marker and a predictor of atherosclerosis, pointing to salusin-α, rather than salusin-β, as the earliest marker of atherosclerosis in obese children. Further research is needed to confirm these results.