Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
April 16, 2020BMC Endocrine DisordersOpen Access

Circulating betatrophin/ANGPTL8 levels correlate with body fat distribution in individuals with normal glucose tolerance but not those with glucose disorders

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Key result

In individuals with normal glucose tolerance, circulating betatrophin levels were independently and positively associated with the visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (standardized β = 0.419, p = 0.001).

Why the study?

Because BMI reflects overall adiposity rather than fat distribution, it remained unclear whether fat deposition in different body areas affects betatrophin expression across different glucose tolerance states.

Population

128 participants with impaired glucose tolerance (n = 64) or normal glucose tolerance (n = 64)

Comparison

Impaired glucose tolerance vs normal glucose tolerance

Design

Cross-sectional study

Authors

JZJing ZhengJLJuan LiuBHBeverly S Hong

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

May mark visceral adiposity in normoglycemia; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before any clinical use.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=128)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

P
Population
128 adults (mean age 53, 50% female) with either normal or impaired glucose tolerance, free of major diseases and metabolic medications, evaluated for body fat distribution and betatrophin levels.
O
Outcome
Correlation between circulating betatrophin levels and body fat distribution (subcutaneous, visceral, and limb fat measured by MRI and body fat meter)surrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: standardized β = 0.419

p-value: p=0.001

Circulating betatrophin levels correlate positively with the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio in individuals with normal glucose tolerance, suggesting it may serve as a biomarker for body fat distribution.

Limitations

  • Analyses were based on single blood betatrophin measurements obtained under fasting conditions, which may not reflect levels over time.
  • The cross-sectional design cannot prove causality between body fat distribution and betatrophin levels.
  • No patients with impaired fasting glycemia were enrolled, limiting the ability to fully reflect the metabolic characteristics of prediabetes.
  • The study was conducted exclusively in a Chinese population, limiting generalizability to other ethnic groups.
  • Analyses were based on single blood betatrophin measurements obtained under fasting conditions, which may not reflect levels over time
  • Cross-sectional design cannot prove causality between VAT/SAT ratio and betatrophin levels
  • No patients with impaired fasting glycemia were enrolled
  • Study was carried out only in a Chinese population, limiting generalizability to other ethnicities

Cite This Study

Zheng et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Impaired or Normal Glucose Tolerance (n=128). Circulating betatrophin levels was evaluated on Independent association between serum betatrophin levels and visceral adipose tissue-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) ratio in the NGT group (standardized β = 0.419, p=0.001). In individuals with normal glucose tolerance, circulating betatrophin levels were independently and positively associated with the visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (standardized β = 0.419, p = 0.001).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a843a8ff3fc905d43bd817ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-020-0531-8
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Serum betatrophin concentrations are significantly increased in overweight but not in obese or type 2 diabetic individuals2015 · 75 citations
  2. 2Circulating Betatrophin Concentrations Are Decreased in Human Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes2014 · 194 citations
  3. 3Circulating Betatrophin Levels Are Increased in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Associated With Insulin Resistance2014 · 138 citations
  4. 4Increased circulating levels of betatrophin in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes2013 · 133 citations
  5. 5Emerging Regulation and Function of Betatrophin2014 · 71 citations