A comparison of brown fat tissue related hormone levels in metabolically healthy and unhealthy individuals with obesity

Abstract

Purpose One of the key functions of brown adipose tissue is its positive impact on metabolism. This study aimed to examine the potential involvement of brown fat-related hormones in the development of metabolically healthy obesity. Specifically, we sought to compare the levels of NRG4, FGF21, and irisin between metabolically healthy and unhealthy individuals with obesity. Methods Patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and aged between 20 and 50 years were included in the study. Among these patients, those who did not have any metabolic syndrome criteria except for increased waist circumference were defined as metabolically healthy obese. Age, gender, BMI, body fat, and muscle mass, matched metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese groups were compared in terms of FGF21, irisin, and NRG4 levels. Results Metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese groups were similar in terms of age and gender. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of BMI, weight, total body fat, muscle, fat-free mass, distribution of body fat and muscle mass. No statistically significant difference was found between irisin, NRG4, and FGF21 levels between metabolically healthy and unhealthy individuals with obesity. It was found that irisin had a significant inverse correlation with BMI and body fat percentage. Conclusion The present study showed no difference between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese individuals in terms of irisin, FGF21, and NRG4 levels. The weak association between irisin and BMI and body fat percentage may suggest a potential link between irisin with metabolic health.