Effects of rosiglitazone on fasting plasma fibroblast growth factor-21 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) has recently been characterized as a potent metabolic regulator, but its pathophysiologic roles in humans remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on plasma FGF-21 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).


METHODS
Thirty patients with new-onset T2DM (nT2DM), 34 type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control (pT2DM) after the treatment with single hypoglycemic agent metformin, and 30 sex- and age-matched normal glycaemic controls (NGT) participated in the study. The pT2DM group was treated with rosiglitazone for 12 weeks. Plasma FGF-21 levels were measured with a RIA. The relationship between plasma FGF-21 levels and metabolic parameters was also analyzed.


RESULTS
Fasting plasma FGF-21 levels were higher in nT2DM and pT2DM groups than in the control (1.81+/-0.64 vs 1.87+/-0.63 vs 1.52+/-0.61 microg/l, P<0.05), but there was no difference between nT2DM and pT2DM groups. Fasting plasma FGF-21 levels were decreased significantly in pT2DM group after the treatment with rosiglitazone compared with pre-treatment (1.59+/-0.63 vs 1.87+/-0.64 micro/l, P<0.05). In all diabetic patients, multiple regression analysis showed that HbA1c, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index were independently associated with plasma FGF-21 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In pT2DM patients, plasma FGF-21 levels are increased, but significantly decreased after the treatment with rosiglitazone on top of ongoing metformin therapy. These data suggest that rosiglitazone may play a role in lowering FGF-21 levels in T2DM patients.
Li
Ke
K
Department of Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 400010 Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Li
Ling
L
Yang
Mengliu
M
Zong
Haihong
H
Liu
Hua
H
Yang
Gangyi
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C414620:fibroblast growth factor 21; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D008687:Metformin