Discovery of a role of the novel hepatokine, hepassocin, in obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a public health problem that has raised concerns worldwide and is often associated with hepatic steatosis. Hepassocin is a novel hepatokine that causes hepatic steatosis and induces insulin resistance (IR). However, the role of hepassocin in obesity remains obscure. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between hepassocin levels and obesity. In total, 371 subjects who had a normal weight (NW), were overweight, or were obese were enrolled. We found that hepassocin levels in subjects who were overweight (6,705 ± 1,707 pg/ml) or obese (7,335 ± 2,077 pg/ml) were significantly higher than those of subjects with a NW (5,767 ± 1,500 pg/ml) (p < .001, test for trend). A multiple linear regression analysis showed that the body-mass index, waist circumference, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and homeostatic model assessment of IR were independently associated with hepassocin after adjusting for age, sex, highsensitivity C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, log triglycerides, alanine transaminase, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate. This study provides evidence that subjects who were overweight or obese had significantly higher hepassocin levels than those with a NW. Hepassocin may be a useful biomarker in managing obesity and its related metabolic dysregulation.

Implication of the hepatokine, fibrinogen-like protein 1 in liver diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer: The need to harness its full potential

“…Recently, the relationship between FGL1 and obesity was confirmed in obese individuals. The plasma FGL1 of obese subjects was higher than that of healthy individuals, and univariate analysis confirmed that BMI, waist circumference, total fat, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat area were all positively correlated with FGL1 level [31]. FGL1 null mice were shown to have abnormal plasma lipid profiles, fasting hyperglycemia and exhibited differences in white and brown adipose tissue morphology [5].…”

Hepatokines and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Linking Liver Pathophysiology to Metabolism

“…Obesity is closely associated with insulin resistance and NAFLD. Hepassocin levels were significantly upregulated in overweight and obese subjects [ 215 ]. Moreover, serum hepassocin was positively correlated with obesity indices, including body mass index, waist circumference, and fat areas (total, visceral, and subcutaneous) in humans [ 75 ].…”

The changes of serum fibrinogen-like protein 1 levels associated with improved liver function and uric acid after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

“…Moreover, hepatokine secretion is generally improved after bariatric surgery, which might drive the long-term metabolic improvements following bariatric surgery [24]. Recently, studies found that plasma FGL-1 levels are associated with obesity [25]. However, the role of FGL-1 in patients with obesity who undergo LSG remains obscure, and purpose of the present study is to investigate the changes of FGL-1 after LSG, and whether it is correlated with other metabolic indices.…”