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 remains unclear whether fat deposition in different body areas affects betatrophin expression.
Cross-Sectional (n=128)
Yes
Circulating betatrophin levels correlate positively with the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio and negatively with lower limb fat in individuals with normal glucose tolerance, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for body fat distribution.
Betatrophin may mark visceral adiposity in normoglycemia; leaves open causal or predictive roles in cardiometabolic risk.
Background: The relationship between betatrophin/ANGPTL8 and obesity has been investigated using body mass index (BMI); however, since BMI reflects overall adiposity rather than body fat distribution, it remains unclear whether fat deposition in different areas of the body affects betatrophin expression. Here, we investigated the correlation between circulating betatrophin levels and body fat distribution in patients with different glucose tolerance. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in 128 participants with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 64) or normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 64). Circulating betatrophin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Body fat distribution (subcutaneous, visceral, and limb fat) was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a body fat meter. Results: After controlling for age, sex, and BMI, betatrophin was correlated positively with visceral adipose tissue-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio ( VAT/SAT ratio; r = 0.339, p = 0.009) and negatively with body fat ratio (BFR; r = -0.275, p = 0.035), left lower limb fat ratio (LLR; r = -0.330, p = 0.011), and right lower limb fat ratio (RLR; r = -0.288, p = 0.027) in the NGT group, with these correlations remaining after controlling for triglycerides. VAT/SAT ratio (standardized β = 0.419, p = 0.001) was independently associated with serum betatrophin levels; however, betatrophin was not associated with body fat distribution variables in the IGT group. Conclusions: Circulating betatrophin levels correlated positively with VAT/SAT ratio and negatively with lower limb fat, but not subcutaneous or upper limb fat, in individuals with normal glucose tolerance. Thus, betatrophin may be a potential biomarker for body fat distribution in individuals without glucose disorders.
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Zheng et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Normal and impaired glucose tolerance (n=128). Circulating betatrophin/ANGPTL8 levels vs. Impaired glucose tolerance group (for group comparisons) or unexposed/lower levels was evaluated on Independent association between serum betatrophin levels and visceral adipose tissue-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) ratio in subjects with normal glucose tolerance (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).
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