The levels of plasma growth arrest-specific protein 6 is associated with insulin sensitivity and inflammation in women.
OBJECTIVE
Vitamin K-dependent growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) and its receptors of the TAM (TYRO-3/Axl/Mer) family are ubiquitously expressed in immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. They play pivotal roles of regulating tissue homeostasis via anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies show that the Gas6/TAM system is involved in glucose tolerance-related metabolic disorders. Our aim was to investigate the link between Gas6 protein, insulin sensitivity and inflammatory cytokines in men and women.


METHODS
A total of 278 adults (126 men and 152 women) were recruited in this study. Plasma Gas6 concentration and various biochemical, proinflammatory and endothelial markers were measured. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostasis model assessment.


RESULTS
Waist, fasting and 2h post-load glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were significantly lower in women than in men. Age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and highly-sensitive C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in women than in men. Plasma Gas6 levels were negatively correlated with waist (r = -0.187, P = 0.022), HOMA-IR (r = -0.171, P=0.035), interleukin 6 (r = -0.362, P < 0.001), and E-selectin (r = -0.216, P = 0.008), while they were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) (r = 0.168, P = 0.039) in women, but not in men. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that TNF-α was independently correlated with plasma Gas6 levels in both the sexes (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma Gas6 is associated with obesity, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in women and may be a general marker of inflammatory conditions in women.
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Feng-Chih
FC
Kuo
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Jen
YJ
Hung
School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Oral Diagnosis and Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Shing
YS
Shieh
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang-Hsun
CH
Hsieh
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Fone-Ching
FC
Hsiao
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: doc10383@gmail.com.
Chien-Hsing
CH
Lee
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D055105:Waist Circumference; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6
Gender; Growth arrest-specific protein 6; Inflammatory cytokines; Insulin sensitivity