Association of fibroblast growth factor 21 with metabolic phenotype and fat depots in young adults with abdominal obesity

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone-like protein involved in the regulation of energy balance and glucose and lipid homeostasis. The study of the association of this factor with the metabolic phenotype – metabolically healthy (MHAO) and metabolically unhealthy abdominal obesity (AO) and different fat depots (visceral, subcutaneous, epicardial, perivascular) in young people is of undoubted scientific and practical interest. Aim. To determine serum FGF21 levels and match it with the distribution of adipose tissue in young people with AO. Outcomes and methods. The study enrolled 132 people (mean age 37.59±6.35 years). 3 groups were formed: 0th – 16 conditionally healthy volunteers; 1st –46 people of 40 years [34; 43] with MHAO; 2nd – 70 people of 40 years [35; 44] with metabolic syndrome (MS). All subjects underwent measurement of height, body weight, waist circumference, calculation of body mass index. The FGF21 levels (ELISA KIT, BCM Diagnostics, Germany), lipid profile, 2-hour glucose tolerance test, glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin levels and HOMA-IR were assessed. Daily monitoring of blood pressure was performed. The volumes of subcutaneous, visceral, perivascul