A pilot study of the effects of niacin administration on free fatty acid and growth hormone concentrations in children with obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Children with obesity have low spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion. High circulating free fatty acid (FFA) concentration is believed to inhibit GH secretion in those with obesity. In adults, lipolytic inhibition with niacin lowers FFA and increases GH, but there are no prior studies in children with obesity.

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine the dose and frequency of niacin administration required to lower FFA and stimulate GH in children with obesity.

Design

Dose-finding study of nondiabetic children ages 6-12 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile given niacin 250 mg q2h × 3 doses (n = 2), 500 mg q2h × 3 doses (n = 5) or 500 mg q1h × 4 doses (n = 5).

Participants

Eight boys and four girls (age 9.7 ± 1.8 years; BMI

SUBMITTER: Galescu OA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5360541 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature