title: Serum retinol binding protein 4 is not decreased in congenital generalized lipodystrophy: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have suggested that Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RPB4), a protein produced by the adipose tissue, is associated with insulin resistance (IR). Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy (CGL) is a rare disease characterized by IR and paucity of adipose tissue. Our objective was to determine RBP4 levels in patients with CGL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six (6) patients with CGL and a healthy control group were selected to participate in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was observed in RBP4 levels between the two groups (CGL 42.5 [12.5 - 127] vs. control 57.4 [15.9 - 165]; p = 0.78). On the other hand, leptin levels were significantly lower in CGL patients (CGL 0.65 [0.2 - 0.7] vs. control 10.9 [0.9 - 38.6]; p = 0.015). No correlation was found between RBP-4 and waist circunference (r = 0.18, p = 0.57), or BMI (r = 0.24, p = 0.45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RBP4 is not decreased in CGL. These results suggest that adipose tissue may not be the main source of RBP4.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. godoymatos@openlink.com.br
authors.forename: Amélio F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Godoy-Matos
authors.forename: Rodrigo O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: MacDowell
authors.forename: Izidro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bendet
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D052497:Lipodystrophy, Congenital Generalized / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; C101326:RBP4 protein, human; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma