Abstract
BackgroundCirculating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) levels are considered to be a link between obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. In vitro, FABP4 has exhibited cardiodepressant activity by suppressing cardiomyocyte contraction. We have explored the relationship between FABP4 and the N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a clinical parameter of heart failure (HF).MethodsWe included 179 stable HF patients who were referred to a specialized HF unit, 108 of whom were prospectively followed for up to 6 months. A group of 163 non-HF patients attending a CV risk unit was used as the non-HF control group for the FABP4 comparisons.ResultsIn the HF patients, FABP4 and NT-proBNP were assayed, along with a clinical and functional assessment of the heart at baseline and after 6 months of specialized monitoring. The FABP4 levels were higher in the patients with HF than in the non-HF high CV risk control group (p<0.001). The FABP4 levels were associated with the NT-proBNP levels in patients with HF (r=0.601, p<0.001), and this association was stronger in the diabetic patients. FABP4 was also associated with heart rate and the results of the 6-minute walk test. After the follow-up period, FABP4 decreased in parallel to NT-proBNP and to the clinical parameters of HF.ConclusionsFABP4 is associated with the clinical manifestations and biomarkers of HF. It exhibits a parallel evolution with the circulating levels of NT-proBNP in HF patients.
Highlights
Circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) levels are considered to be a link between obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular (CV) diseases
We have explored the hypothesis that circulating FABP4 levels are associated with the biomarkers of heart failure (HF), such as the N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and with HF clinical parameters
FABP4 correlates with NT-proBNP The FABP4 levels were positively correlated with the NT-proBNP levels (r=0.291, p
Summary
Circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) levels are considered to be a link between obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. FABP4 levels are increased in overweight and obese subjects compared with those in lean subjects, and several pathologies have been linked to adipose tissue dysfunction, such as MS, type-2 diabetes, atherogenic dyslipidemia, human immunodeficiency-virus associated lipodystrophy, and polycystic ovary syndrome [10,11,12,13,14]. Serum FABP4 has been associated with the presence and degree of cardiovascular disease [17], with an increased risk for secondary cardiovascular events ( cardiovascular death) [18], and with renal dysfunction in patients with stable angina pectoris [19]. FABP4 is expressed in endothelial cells and this expression could potentially contribute to the FABP4 levels observed in patients with HF This molecule could be considered a link between obesity, MS, type-2 diabetes, and cardiac insufficiency
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