title: A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels is associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a hormone released from the small intestine; recently, it has emerged as an endocrine regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FGF19 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 23 (17 boys) obese adolescents (mean age of 14.1 years) with NAFLD. The control group consisted of 34 (13 boys) obese peers with normal ultrasonographic imaging and normal liver function tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  The definition of NAFLD was based on clinical criteria: elevated alanine aminotransferase (>35 U/L) and liver steatosis features on ultrasound imaging. Serum FGF19 levels were measured in a fasting blood sample. The definition of insulin resistance was based on the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) threshold: >2.5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between mean FGF19 levels in patients with NAFLD and controls (142.2 vs. 206 pg/mL, p=0.04). Mean fasting FGF19 levels were decreased in insulin-resistant patients in comparison with the non-insulin-resistant group (155.0 vs. 221.0 pg/mL, p=0.05). There was an inverse correlation between FGF19 and alanine aminotransferase levels (R=-0.3, p<0.05) and triglycerides (R=-0.27, p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A decrease in fasting FGF19 is associated with the development of NAFLD in obese adolescents. A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels may be a new important risk factor for NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome in adolescents. Further studies are needed to explain whether exogenous delivery of FGF19 might be therapeutically beneficial.
authors: Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology Department, Chair of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Wielicka 265 str. 30-663 Krakow, Poland. wojcik.gosia@gmail.com
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Wojcik
authors: Dominika
authors: D
authors: Janus
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Dolezal-Oltarzewska
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Kalicka-Kasperczyk
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Poplawska
authors: Dorota
authors: D
authors: Drozdz
authors: Krystyna
authors: K
authors: Sztefko
authors: Jerzy B
authors: JB
authors: Starzyk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D005215:Fasting; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C117476:FGF19 protein, human; D014280:Triglycerides; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase