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Association of serum betatrophin with fibroblast growth factor-21 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose

Betatrophin and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), which are recently discovered members of hepatokine/adipokine family, have been proposed to be associated with some metabolic disorders in which insulin resistance plays a major role.

Methods

We aimed to investigate serum betatrophin and FGF-21 concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 31 women with PCOS and 34 women as healthy controls. Serum betatrophin level and its relationship with serum FGF-21 level as well as metabolic parameters were examined.

Results

Serum betatrophin level was significantly higher in women with PCOS‏ than the control group [1.10 (0.20–4.20) vs 0.70 (0.20–3.50) ng/ml, p = 0.004], whereas FGF-21 did not differ between the groups [74.80 (7.80–435.90) vs 119.30 (10.50–443.40) pg/ml, p = 0.13]. Serum betatrophin correlated positively with LH levels (r = 0.26, p = 0.03). After controlling BMI, there was a significant positive correlation between betatrophin and FGF-21 (r = 0.25, p = 0.04). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that FGF-21 and presence of PCOS were the significant predictors of betatrophin concentrations (R2 = 0.22, F = 2.56, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that betatrophin levels are increased and associated with LH and FGF-21 levels, but not with insulin resistance, in women with PCOS.

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Funding

This project was supported by Gazi University Research Foundation (BAP-01/2016-19).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    S. Kahraman

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Beşevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey

    A. E. Altinova, M. M. Yalcin, M. Akturk, N. Cakir & F. B. Toruner

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    O. Gulbahar & B. Arslan

Authors
  1. S. Kahraman
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  2. A. E. Altinova
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  3. M. M. Yalcin
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  4. O. Gulbahar
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  5. B. Arslan
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  6. M. Akturk
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  7. N. Cakir
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  8. F. B. Toruner
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Correspondence to A. E. Altinova.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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The study protocol was approved by local ethics committee.

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All subjects were informed about the content of the study and their consent was taken accordingly.

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Kahraman, S., Altinova, A.E., Yalcin, M.M. et al. Association of serum betatrophin with fibroblast growth factor-21 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 41, 1069–1074 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0831-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0831-2

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