Follistatin-Like 1 and Family with Sequence Similarity to 19 Member A5 Levels Are Decreased in Obese Children and Associated with Glucose Metabolism

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a significant and growing problem worldwide. Recent evidence suggests Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) and family with sequence similarity to 19 member A5 (FAM19A5) to be novel adipokines. However, very few studies have examined the plasma levels of FSTL1 and FAM19A5 in children. Therefore, this cross-sectional study evaluated the association between serum FSTL1 and FAM19A5 levels with obesity in children and investigated the relationship between FSTL1 and FAM19A5 and glucose metabolism or endothelial injury. Methods: Fifty-five obese children and 48 healthy controls were recruited. Plasma FSTL1 and FAM19A5 levels were detected using ELISA. In addition, the association between the clinical data and anthropometric parameters was analyzed. Results: Serum FAM19A5 levels were significantly decreased in the obese children, at 189.39 ± 19.10 pg/mL, compared with those without obesity, at 211.08 ± 38.09 pg/mL. Serum concentrations of FSTL1 were also significantly lower in the obese children, at 0.64 (0.37–0.64) ng/mL, compared with those without obesity, at 1.35 (1.05–2.12) ng/mL. In addition, FAM19A5 (OR = 0.943; P = 0.003) was a predictor of insulin resistance in obese children compared with healthy controls. Lastly, serum FAM19A5 and FSTL1 played mediating roles in insulin resistance in children. Conclusion: The serum levels of FAM19A5 and FSTL1 were decreased in obese children; therefore, FAM19A5 and FSTL1 likely play important roles in glucose metabolism in obese children.

New Discovered Adipokines Associated with the Pathogenesis of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

“…Negative correlations were detected between FAM19A5 and BMI as well as FBG and fasting insulin. 92 Inversely, it was found that serum FAM19A5 concentrations in T2DM patients were higher than that in non-diabetic subjects, and positively correlated with WC, WHR, FBG and HbA 1c. 93 What we can see is that FAM19A5 is so novel that there are few researches about it.…”

Can Adipokine FAM19A5 Be a Biomarker of Metabolic Disorders?

“…These results suggest an association of the FAM19A5 protein with metabolic disorders and emphasize its suggested positive effects on the body. 32 …”

“…These results suggest an association of the FAM19A5 protein with metabolic disorders and emphasize its suggested positive effects on the body. 32 The first data on FAM19A5 genes comes from 2004. Y. Tom Tang et al then discovered a family of small secreted proteins in Homo sapiens and Mus musculus.…”