Neurokinin B and dynorphin affecting obese male adolescents behavior

Background. Childhood obesity is still a trending healthcare problem. The incidence of obesity is growing worldwide regardless of any ongoing measures. Inefficiency of behavior, especially the eating behavior, intervention is one of the reasons of poor disease management. Kappa opioid receptor ligand dynorphin (DYN) and coupled KNDy mediator neurokinin B (NKB) seem not to be investigated enough as obese adolescents' behavior modulators. Aim. The study was aimed to examine the modulating role of DYN and NKB on adolescent boys with obesity behavior. Materials and methods. The study involved 84 adolescents aged 14–17 years: 57 with obesity (code E66.0, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision) and 27 practically healthy individuals. The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) was utilized using Youth Self Report scales (YSR 11-18) to evaluate depressive, anxiety, somatic, attention deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant and conduct problems. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used to assess alterations. Laboratory studies included DYN and NKB blood levels evaluation using ELISA Kit for Big DYN and ELISA Kit for NKB correspondingly. Network analysis was performed to emphasize and visualize most relevant associations. Results. The DYN level showed a significant negative correlation with attention problems and a positive correlation with NKB level. Network analysis showed that DYN level was strongly linked with negative bond to attention problems as, with a bit less strength, NKB also was. NKB and DYN levels were strongly linked in between either. Conclusion. DYN is likely to play a modulating role in eating behavior, deviant and aggressive behavior especially in obese adolescents, acting as an additional obesity heterogeneity factor.