Betatrophin is downregulated in pregnant women with a history of RYGB operation and a high risk of postprandial hypoglycaemia

Abstract

Betatrophin is a liver and adipose tissue-derived protein which has recently been linked to glucose metabolism. So far, no data exist about the role of betatrophin in pregnant women with a history of Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operation with a high risk of postprandial hypoglycaemia. In this prospective clinical study, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) were performed between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy and 3–6 months post-partum in a cohort of obese and normal-weight pregnant women, as well as in women with a history of RYGB operation. In the cohort of pregnant women with RYGB and exaggerated risk of postprandial hypoglycaemic events, basal and dynamic betatrophin levels during the OGTT were lower than in the obese or normal-weight pregnant women (basal levels: 13.66 ± 5.88 vs. 19.03 ± 4.15 vs. 15.68 ± 6.48, p = 0.016; OGTT 60′: 13.33 ± 5.40 vs. 17.37 ± 3.16 vs. 15.84 ± 4.99, p = 0.030). During the OGTT, basal and dynamic betatrophin levels at 60′ were positively associated with glucose levels at 60 min (r = 0.55, p = 0.01 and r = 0.45, p = 0.039). This positive association was followed by significant hypoglycaemic events in the RYGB group. It was only in the RYGB group that betatrophin was negatively related to the disposition index (rho = -0.53, p = 0.014). After pregnancy there was a decrease in basal and stimulated betatrophin levels during the OGTT in all three patient groups. In comparison to normal-weight and obese pregnant women, women with a history of RYGB operation and a high risk of postprandial hypoglycaemic events have lower levels of betatrophin. This indicate a mechanistic role in order to decrease the risk of postprandial hypoglycaemia in this specific cohort.

Effect of nanocurcumin on serum levels of betatrophin and irisin in patients with metabolic syndrome; a clinical trial

“…The betatrophin protein, which was first discovered in 2012 in a diabetic animal model, has the capacity to promote the growth of pancreatic beta cells (8).…”

“…This hormone promotes weight loss and reduces insulin resistance (7). A well-known circulating hormone generated by the liver and adipose tissue is called betatrophin (8).…”

Novel genomic variants related to Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI) in Indian Sib-pairs

“…The estimates of global prevalence of obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m 2 ) ranges between 10-24% (2), and that for South Asians between 22-54% (3). It accounts for considerable proportion of the risk for non-communicable (4,5), and communicable diseases (6). The complex interplay between underlying genetic propensity, and "access to excess" of food, sedentary lifestyle, along with other 'obesogenic' environmental factors manifest into positive energy balance leading to obesity (7).…”