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. 2018 Aug;16(2):1397-1402.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2018.6291. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 is a potential diagnostic factor for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Chengfang Xu  1 , Zhenyan Han  1 , Ping Li  1 , Xuejiao Li  1
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Fibroblast growth factor-21 is a potential diagnostic factor for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Chengfang Xu et al. Exp Ther Med. 2018 Aug.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disease with symptoms of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and fetal maldevelopment. Evidence has indicated that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 is a multifunctional protein and exhibits potential therapeutic value for metabolic diseases. The present study investigated the diagnostic value of FGF-21 serum levels in patients with GDM (n=50) and age-matched healthy individuals (n=50). It was demonstrated that the gene and protein expression levels of FGF-21 were downregulated in adipose cells in patients with GDM compared with those in healthy individuals. The results also indicated that the serum levels of FGF-21 were downregulated in patients with GDM compared with those in healthy individuals. In addition, it was demonstrated that blood glucose and blood pressure were higher in patients with GDM compared with those in healthy individuals. GDM patients had a markedly higher insulin resistance and glucose tolerance than healthy individuals. However, GDM patients had significantly lower serum levels of insulin than healthy individuals. It was observed that the serum levels of FGF-21 were positively correlated with those of glucose in GDM patients. In conclusion, these results indicate that decreased FGF-21 levels are associated with the risk of GDM, suggesting that FGF-21 may be a potential diagnostic factor for GDM.

Keywords: fibroblast growth factor-21; gestational diabetes mellitus; glucose intolerance; insulin resistance.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Analysis serum levels of FGF-21 in GDM patients. (A) Serum levels of FGF-21 in GDM patients and healthy individuals. (B) Protein levels of FGF-21 in adipocytes were downregulated in clinical patients compared with those in healthy volunteers. (C) FGF-21 mRNA expression levels are downregulated in adipocytes of GDM patients compared with those in healthy volunteers. (D) Protein expression levels of FGF-21 were downregulated in patients with GDM in adipocytes compared with those in healthy individuals. (E) Expression levels of FGF-21 in adipose tissue between GDM patients and healthy individuals determined by immunohistochemistry. **P<0.01. FGF, fibroblast growth factor; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Analysis of glucose and insulin metabolism in GDM patients. (A) GDM patients had a higher blood glucose concentration than healthy volunteers. (B) Insulin levels were decreased in GDM patients compared with those in healthy volunteers. (C) GDM patients had a higher glucose tolerance than healthy volunteers. (D) GDM patients had a higher insulin resistance than healthy individuals. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. GDM. GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Analysis of the association of serum levels of FGF-21 with glucose and insulin metabolism in GDM patients. (A) Serum levels of FGF-21 are positively correlated with the concentration of blood glucose in GDM patients. (B) Serum levels of FGF-21 are positively correlated with insulin levels in GDM patients. FGF, fibroblast growth factor; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Analysis the correlation between serum levels of FGF-21 and the prognosis of GDM patients. (A) Serum levels of FGF-21 are upregulated in GDM patients with the recovery time progressing (r=0.412). (B) Serum levels of FGF-21 are associated with the clinical stage of GDM patients (r=−0.376). FGF, fibroblast growth factor; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus.
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