Circulating betatrophin in healthy control and type 2 diabetic subjects and its association with metabolic parameters.
Betatrophin, a newly identified liver and adipose tissue-derived hormone, has been suggested as an inducer of β-cell proliferation in mice. However, the physiological role of betatrophin remains poorly understood in humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate circulating betatrophin concentrations in normal and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Saudi subjects and its association with various metabolic parameters.



In this cross-sectional study, 200 Saudi adults (81 healthy non-T2DM controls, age: 41.43±8.35 [mean±SD]; BMI: 31.58±5.49 and 119 T2DM subjects, age: 48.78±11.76years; BMI: 30.25±4.83kg/m(2)) were studied. Anthropometric and fasting serum biochemical data were collected. Circulating betatrophin was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based kit.



We observed significantly higher levels of betatrophin in T2DM subjects compared to healthy controls (882.19±329.06 vs 657.14±261.04pg/ml, p<0.001). Furthermore, in T2DM subjects, betatrophin level was positively associated with blood pressure and serum fasting glucose (p<0.05).



Our results suggest that circulating betatrophin is significantly elevated in subjects with T2DM compared to healthy controls. Increase in the level of betatrophin in T2DM subjects might be a compensatory mechanism for enhanced insulin demand in T2DM condition.
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: aldaghri2011@gmail.com.
Nasser M
NM
Al-Daghri
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Shakilur
S
Rahman
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Shaun
S
Sabico
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Osama E
OE
Amer
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Kaiser
K
Wani
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Ghouse Ahmed
MG
Ansari
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Omar S
OS
Al-Attas
Division of Metabolic and Vascular Health, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust, Walsgrave, Coventry, United Kingdom.
Sudhesh
S
Kumar
Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Majed S
MS
Alokail
D000328:Adult; D000091306:Angiopoietin-Like Protein 8; D000075802:Angiopoietin-like Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D012529:Saudi Arabia
C576683:ANGPTL8 protein, human; D000091306:Angiopoietin-Like Protein 8; D000075802:Angiopoietin-like Proteins; D001786:Blood Glucose; D036361:Peptide Hormones
Betatrophin; Cardiometabolic risk; Diabetes mellitus; Insulin resistance; Lipids