FGF-21 LEVELS AND LIVER INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS IN OBESE SUBJECTS AFTER WEIGHT LOSS.

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Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have hypothesized Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) as a potential biomarker of the inflammation associated to liver diseases, which is also receiving high attention for its potential application concerning the management of obesity and co-morbidities. This study aimed to analyze the response of FGF-21 after a weight loss intervention and the relationships with other putative inflammatory liver biomarkers.Material and methods: Sixty-six obese participants from the RESMENA study were evaluated at baseline and after following a 6-months energy restriction treatment. Anthropometrical, body composition by DXA, routine laboratory measurements, which included transaminases and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analyzed by standardized methods. Moreover, FGF-21, M30-fragment (M30) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-I) were analyzed as recognized liver inflammatory related biomarkers with specific ELISA Kits.Results: Most measurements related with hepatic damage, inflammation and adiposity status improved at the end of the 6-months nutritional intervention. In addition, ΔFGF-21 shifts evidenced statistical relationships with changes in ΔM30, ΔGGT and ΔPAI. The reduction of M30 showed significant associations with changes in transaminases. Furthermore, PAI-I changes were related with ΔM30 and ΔGGT regardless of weight loss. A linear regression model was set up to assess the influence of ΔPAI-I and ΔM30 on the variability of ΔFGF-21 (23.8%) adjusted by weight loss.Conclusions: These results evidenced interactions of some liver inflammatory mediators, specifically M30 and PAI-I with FGF-21. Thus, more investigation about FGF-21 is required given that this protein could be a biomarker of the obesity-inflammation-liver process.

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