Abstract
Background
Obesity and insulin resistance are linked with mood disorders, and elevated concentrations of branched-chain (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs). Our study aimed to prospectively assess the relationship between childhood plasma BCAAs and AAAs, and behavioral problems in young Inuit from Nunavik.
Methods
We analyzed data on 181 children (with a mean age of 11.4 years at baseline) involved in the Nunavik Child Development Study. Plasma BCAA and AAA concentrations were measured in childhood (2005–2010). BCAA/AAA tertiles—the ratio of total BCAAs to AAAs—were considered as surrogate categorical independent variables. Behavioral problems were assessed with the Youth Self-Report (YSR) from the Child Behavior Checklist about 7 years later during adolescence (2013–2016). ANOVA ascertained relationships between BCAA/AAA tertiles and YSR outcomes.
Results
Ascending BCAA/AAA tertiles were positively associated (Ptrend<0.05) with somatic complaint scores. Scores of somatic complaints syndrome were significantly higher (Ptrend <0.05) with increasing BCAA/AAA tertiles among both normal and overweight/obese participants.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that higher BCAA/AAA ratios in childhood are significantly associated with somatic complaints in adolescence.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Nunavik population, particularly the parents and youth, who participated in this study.
Author contributions
G.M. was principal investigator of the Nunavik Child Development Study. A.S.J., S.M., C.R., P.A., G.M., and M.L. conceptualized the current analysis. A.S.J. analyzed the data and wrote the first manuscript draft. All authors contributed to results interpretation and critical manuscript revision for intellectual content and approved the final text version.
Statement of financial support
This research was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Northern Contaminants Program, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; Health Canada; Hydro-Québec (Environmental Child Initiative); and the Joseph Young, Sr., Fund, State of Michigan. The funding sources were not involved in data analysis, manuscript writing, and publication.
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St-Jean, A., Meziou, S., Roy, C. et al. Branched-chain and aromatic amino acids in relation to behavioral problems among young Inuit from Nunavik, Canada: a cohort study. Pediatr Res 82, 416–422 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.115
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.115
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