Research Article Details
| Article ID: | A52733 |
| PMID: | 22670657 |
| Source: | Scand J Gastroenterol |
| Title: | Serum FGF21 and RBP4 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. |
| Abstract: | INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) regulates glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) controls metabolic and proliferative cell functions. AIMS AND METHODS: Aims of the study were to assess (1) serum FGF21 and RBP4 levels in 75 non-obese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and 41 healthy controls similar in age and BMI; (2) the relationship between their serum concentration and insulin resistance, liver histology, and biochemical parameters; (3) their effectiveness as diagnostic markers. RESULTS: FGF21 levels increased significantly in CHC patients compared with controls (p = 0.04). CHC patients with steatosis had significantly higher FGF21 levels compared with those without steatosis (p = 0.01). FGF21 concentration was positively related to steatosis grade (r = 0.39, p = 0.007). RBP4 levels did not differ between CHC patients and controls, but were negatively associated with necro-inflammatory activity grade (r = (-0.34), p = 0.04), with significantly higher levels in patients with minimal inflammatory activity (G1 vs. G2/3, p < 0.001; G1 vs. G2, p = 0 < 001; G1 vs. G3, p = 0.01). After stepwise linear regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders, RBP4 levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of necro-inflammatory activity (β = -0.31; t = -2.15, p = 0.035) and FGF21 levels as a predictor of steatosis (β = 0.34; t = 2.31, p = 0.024). Serum FGF21 correlated with serum RBP4 levels (r = 0.32, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Serum FGF21 levels increased in CHC patients, especially in those with steatosis and were associated with steatosis grade. FGF21 seems to be a useful diagnostic marker in determining hepatic steatosis in CHC. A negative association between serum RBP4 and necro-inflammatory activity indicates that disease severity may determine RBP4 levels. |
| DOI: | 10.3109/00365521.2012.694901 |
| Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
| S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
| Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
| Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
| D199 | L-alanine | Chemical drug | DB00160 | KYNU | -- | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
| D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |