Serum zonulin as an index of glucose dysregulation in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity

Summary Increased intestinal permeability has an important role in metabolic dysregulation. In this cross‐sectional study, we examined whether serum intestinal permeability marker zonulin and related pro‐inflammatory molecules were associated with the oral disposition index, a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes, in a cohort of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Ninety‐two children and adolescents were recruited [Male: 43; 12.7 (2.35) years; BMI SDS: 2.7 (0.96)]. Anthropometric and clinical parameters, lipid profile, glucose metabolism and plasma levels of zonulin, lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein and Interleukin‐6 were measured. We found an association between oral disposition index and zonulin (β = −0.243; p = 0.019) and age (β = −0.307; p = 0.004), independent of sex and BMI SDS [R2 = 0.16; p = 0.005]. Our results show an association between serum zonulin concentration and oral disposition index supporting the hypothesis of increased intestinal permeability as a possible risk factor for glucose metabolism dysregulation in children and adolescents with obesity.