Circulating betatrophin/ANGPTL8 levels correlate with body fat distribution in individuals with normal glucose tolerance but not those with glucose disorders

Abstract

Background: The relationship between betatrophin/ANGPTL8 and obesity has been investigated using body mass index (BMI); however, since BMI reflects overall adiposity rather than body fat distribution, it remains unclear whether fat deposition in different areas of the body affects betatrophin expression. Here, we investigated the correlation between circulating betatrophin levels and body fat distribution in patients with different glucose tolerance. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in 128 participants with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 64) or normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 64). Circulating betatrophin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Body fat distribution (subcutaneous, visceral, and limb fat) was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a body fat meter.Results: After controlling for age, sex, and BMI, betatrophin was correlated positively with visceral adipose tissue-tosubcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VAT/SAT ratio; r = 0.339, p = 0.009) and negatively with body fat ratio (BFR; r = − 0.275, p = 0.035), left lower limb fat ratio (LLR; r = − 0.330, p = 0.011), and right lower limb fat ratio (RLR; r = − 0.288, p = 0.027) in the NGT group, with these correlations remaining after controlling for triglycerides. VAT/SAT ratio (standardized β = 0.419, p = 0.001) was independently associated with serum betatrophin levels; however, betatrophin was not associated with body fat distribution variables in the IGT group.Conclusions: Circulating betatrophin levels correlated positively with VAT/SAT ratio and negatively with lower limb fat, but not with subcutaneous or upper limb fat, in individuals with normal glucose tolerance. Thus, betatrophin may be a potential biomarker for body fat distribution in individuals without glucose disorders.

Genetic and Metabolic Determinants of Plasma Levels of ANGPTL8

“…S7) ( 38 ). Similar to our findings, A8 levels have been associated with BMI, plasma glucose, insulin, and TG levels ( 45 , 51–53 ), as well as measures of body fat content including total abdominal and visceral fat ( 54 ). Since A8 expression has been reported to be upregulated by insulin ( 55 ), it is plausible that the strong correlation observed between plasma A8 and plasma insulin is a reflection of this regulation in the liver.…”

Dynamic alteration of plasma levels of betatrophin in younger female onset obesity post acute moderate-intensity exercise training

“…Betatrophin/ANGPTL-8/lipasin is a hormone that is predominantly expressed in the liver. ANGPTL-8/Betatrophin is an essential hormone that regulates lipid and its metabolism, especially triglycerides ( Zhang and Abou-Samra, 2014 , Abu-Farha et al, 2018 , Gómez-Ambrosi et al, 2016 , Wang et al, 2013 , Zheng et al, 2020 ). Numerous studies also showed that betatrophin has been highly identified and targeted in patients with obesity or diabetes mellitus ( Zheng et al, 2020 , Abu-Farha et al, 2016 , Li et al, 2016 , Yi et al, 2015 ).…”

“…ANGPTL-8/Betatrophin is an essential hormone that regulates lipid and its metabolism, especially triglycerides ( Zhang and Abou-Samra, 2014 , Abu-Farha et al, 2018 , Gómez-Ambrosi et al, 2016 , Wang et al, 2013 , Zheng et al, 2020 ). Numerous studies also showed that betatrophin has been highly identified and targeted in patients with obesity or diabetes mellitus ( Zheng et al, 2020 , Abu-Farha et al, 2016 , Li et al, 2016 , Yi et al, 2015 ). Therefore, this hormone can be proposed as a potential endocrinal target in applying physical treatment to overweight obesity development.…”

An Analysis of Circulating Betatrophin Levels in Relation with Type1 and Type2 Diabetes Mellitu Running Title: Betatrophin and Diabetes

“…Studies on animals showed that over expression of ANGPTL8 for 8 days significantly increased plasma triglyceride levels but had no effect on glucose or insulin concentrations [26]. Alot of studies on humans showed that serum betatrophin levels have a positive correlation with triglyceride [15,17,22,27]. ANGPTL8/ betatrophin apparently induces triglycerides elevation through reducing triglycerides clearance by LPL inhibition [27][28][29][30].…”

“…Also, betatrophin a nutritionally regulated factor and involved in the pathophysiology of lipid metabolism is an important regulator of plasma lipids. Some studies reported blood betatrophin levels to correlate with triglyceride levels, but others showed no correlation [15][16][17][18]. Hence, the impact of betatrophin in humans has not been clarified.…”