Fibrinogen‐like‐protein 1 (FGL1) is a novel hepatokine that plays an important role in hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Although FGL1 expression can be detected in adipose tissues, the functions of FGL1 in adipose tissues are still unknown. In this study, 356 participants with (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2; n = 134) or without obesity (BMI <25 kg/m2; n = 222) were recruited, and we found that the plasma FGL1 concentrations were significantly higher in obese group than those of in the normal weight group, and were positively correlated with age, BMI, waist circumference, fat content, plasma glucose at 2 hours during an oral glucose tolerance test, and the insulin sensitivity index. In univariate analyses, BMI, waist circumference, total fat, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat areas were positively correlated with FGL1 levels. After adjusting for age and gender, obesity indices, including the BMI and different fat areas, remained significantly associated with FGL1 levels. In order to investigate the causal relationship between FGL1 and obesity, animal and cell models were used. Overexpression of FGL1 in epididymal adipose tissue by lentiviral vector encoding FGL1 increased the fat pad size, whereas FGL1‐knockdown by lentiviral vector encoding short‐hairpin RNA targeted to FGL1 decreased high‐fat diet‐induced adiposity. In addition, 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were used to clarify the possible mechanism of FGL1‐induced adipogenesis. FGL1 induced adipogenesis through an ERK1/2‐C/EBPβ‐dependent pathway in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. These findings highlight the pathophysiological role of FGL1 in obesity, and FGL1 might be a novel therapeutic target to combat obesity.

sVAP-1 is increased in response to hyperglycemia. It is associated with obesity and serum hsCRP concentration negatively, and plasma adiponectin concentration positively. Besides, a high sVAP-1 is associated with a lower incidence of diabetes in human.

Background Maternal lipids during pregnancy and placental growth factors are associated with excess foetal growth. However, how these factors interact to increase the risk of delivering large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between maternal plasma triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FAs) during pregnancy, cord blood insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and LGA. In a cell model, we studied the effect of different FAs on placental IGF-1 secretion. Methods This cohort study included pregnant women with term pregnancy and without diabetes or hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Maternal fasting plasma TG and FFAs were measured in the second trimester. Cord blood IGF-1, IGF-2 and IGF binding protein-1 and protein-3 were measured at the time of delivery. A human trophoblast cell line, 3A-sub-E, was used to evaluate the effect of different FAs on placental IGF-1 secretion. Results We recruited 598 pregnant women–neonate pairs. Maternal plasma TG (180 (152.5–185.5) vs. 166 (133–206) mg/dL, p=0.04) and cord blood IGF-1 concentrations (72.7 ± 23.0 vs. 54.1 ± 22.8 ng/mL, p=0.0001) were higher in the LGA group and were significantly associated with birth weight z-score. Maternal plasma free palmitic acid (PA) and stearic acid (SA), but not oleic acid (OA) or linoleic acid (LA), were significantly associated with cord blood IGF-1 concentrations. In 3A-sub-E cells, treatment with PA, SA, and LA, but not OA, induced IGF-1 expression and secretion. Conclusions Certain FAs can induce placental IGF-1 secretion, which suggest a potential pathophysiology linking maternal plasma lipids and LGA.

BackgroundHyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The increasing prevalence of overweight or obesity and the increasing proportion of pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) in the recent decade may affect its prevalence. We analyzed the secular trend of HIP prevalence in 2008-2017 in Taiwan and investigated the impact of AMA in this study.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from Health and Welfare Data Science Center. Pregnant women who registered their data in the Birth Certificate Application in 2008-2017 were recruited. Diagnosis of HIP was defined by ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes.ResultsIn 2008-2017, 151,306-211,768 pregnant women were recruited in different years. The proportion of women with AMA increased from 15.8% to 32.1%. Meanwhile, the prevalence increased from 0.5% to 0.9% for preexisting diabetes, 0.2% to 0.4% for undiagnosed diabetes, and 11.4% to 14.5% for GDM. Maternal age was significantly associated with the prevalence of HIP. For women aged &lt;30 years, 30-34 years and ≥35 years, the prevalence of preexisting diabetes were 0.51%, 0.75% and 1.24%, respectively (p&lt;0.05); the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes were 0.18%, 0.24% and 0.37%, respectively (p&lt;0.05); and the prevalence of GDM were 10.57%, 14.77% and 18.13%, respectively (p&lt;0.05). In all age groups, the prevalence of HIP increased over time in 2008-2017.ConclusionThe prevalence of HIP increased in Taiwan in 2008-2017, which may result from the increasing proportion of pregnant women with AMA and the change in the diagnostic criteria for GDM.