Plasma FGF-21 levels in type 2 diabetic patients with ketosis

Abstract

FGF-21 has been recently characterized as a potent metabolic regulator, but its pathophysiologic role in human remains unknown. In this study we investigate whether plasma FGF-21 level is different in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic ketosis (T2DK). Sixty-eight patients with T2DM, 41 subjects with T2DK, and 52 sex- and age-matched normal controls participated in the study. Plasma FGF-21 levels were measured with a radioimmunoassay. The relationship between plasma FGF-21 levels and anthropometric and metabolic parameters was also analyzed. Plasma FGF-21 levels were higher in patients with T2DK and T2DM than in controls (4.05 ± 0.18 μg/L and 2.82 ± 0.14 μg/L vs. 2.28 ± 0.16 μg/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Fasting plasma FGF-21 was found to correlate positively and significantly with SBP, DBP, FBG, 2hPBG, HbA 1c, HDL-C and FFA, but negatively with fasting plasma insulin, 2hIns and HOMA IS. Multiple regression analysis showed that DBP, WHR, 2hIns, 2hPBG and FFA were independent to the factors influencing plasma FGF-21 levels. Increasing concentrations of FGF-21 were independently and significantly associated with T2DM and T2DK. The present work suggests that FGF-21 may play a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM and T2DK.