Evaluation of a multiplex assay for adipokine concentrations in obese children

Background: Multiplexed bead immunoassays allow simultaneous measurement of adipokines and other hormones in small serum samples, although a validation of this technique with classical methods has not been fully established. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the characteristics of a multiplexed bead immunoassay obesity panel for insulin and various adipokines with classical methods. Methods: A multiplexed bead immunoassay was performed using serum from 20 obese children at baseline and after reducing their body mass index, and in 25 controls. Insulin, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 measured by multiplexed bead immunoassay were compared with results obtained from commercial immunoassays. Correlation, sensitivity, recovery, linearity, performance and imprecision were established for each analyte. Results: The correlation between methods was acceptable for adiponectin, leptin, and insulin with coefficients of 0.75–0.89 (p