Serum retinol binding protein 4 is negatively related to estrogen in Chinese women with obesity: a cross-sectional study.

Qian Li,Hua Bian,Xinxia Chang,Huandong Lin,Hongmei Yan,Xin Gao,Mingfeng Xia,Weiyun Wu

doi:10.1186/s12944-016-0215-6

Qian Li, Hua Bian + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-016-0215-6

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Abstract

BackgroundThe association between serum Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) and obesity is still controversial. Serum RBP4 levels varies by gender, and estradiol may play a role in the difference. To investigate the participation of sex hormones in the association of RBP4 and obesity in humans, we measured serum RBP4, BMI, and sex hormones in 87 women from the outpatient.MethodsEighty-seven subjects of Chinese women origin from the outpatient (aged 40.22 ± 15.54 years) were enrolled. Subjects with diseases affecting the metabolic state or not suitable to participate in this study were excluded. Anthropometrics and laboratory tests, including lipid profile, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2),progesterone (PROG), testosterone (TESTO), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were conducted. Serum RBP4 was detected by an enzyme immunoassay kit and validated by quantitative Western blotting.ResultsCirculating RBP4 levels were positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), and testosterone (TESTO) in the total group. While only in obese individuals, serum RBP4 levels were negatively associated with E2. The highest value was in the subjects with both obesity and the low estrogen level. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that RBP4 correlated independently with TG, TC and insulin in all subjects, TC in non- obese individuals. However, E2 were significantly associated with serum RBP4 only in obese individuals.ConclusionsRBP4 could be a marker of obesity-related factors; estrogen was negatively related to RBP4 and might be one of the influential factors.

Highlights

The association between serum Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) and obesity is still controversial
In the current study, we found that serum RBP4 levels were inversely associated with E2 levels in a cohort of Chinese women patients with obesity
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first showing that circulating RBP4 is associated with body-mass index (BMI) and E2 levels in Chinese women patients, which implied that estradiol might be an impact factor on the relation between obesity and circulating RBP4

Summary

Introduction

The association between serum Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) and obesity is still controversial. Serum RBP4 levels varies by gender, and estradiol may play a role in the difference. To investigate the participation of sex hormones in the association of RBP4 and obesity in humans, we measured serum RBP4, BMI, and sex hormones in 87 women from the outpatient. RBP4 does not reach adult plasma levels until puberty, after which plasma levels are changeable, based on the menstrual cycle. This variation in the plasma RBP level appears to correlate with peak levels of estradiol and menopausal status in women [11, 12]. It is necessary to investigate the participation of sex hormones on the levels of RBP4 in humans, especially in woman

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