Diabetes Metab J.  2012 Feb;36(1):29-36. 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.1.29.

Various Oscillation Patterns of Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Concentrations in Healthy Volunteers

• Lee SA
• Jeong E
• Kim EH
• Shin MS
• Hwang JY
• Koh EH
• Lee WJ
• Park JY
• Kim MS

• KMID: 2281426
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.1.29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was originally identified as a paroxysm proliferator activated receptor-alpha target gene product and is a hormone involved in metabolic regulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diurnal variation of serum FGF21 concentration in obese and non-obese healthy volunteers.
METHODS
Blood samples were collected from five non-obese (body mass index [BMI] < or =23 kg/m2) and five obese (BMI > or =25 kg/m2) healthy young men every 30 to 60 minutes over 24 hours. Serum FGF21 concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Anthropometric parameters, glucose, free fatty acid, insulin, leptin, and cortisol concentrations were also measured.
RESULTS
The serum FGF21 concentrations displayed various individual oscillation patterns. The oscillation frequency ranged between 6 and 12 times per day. The average duration of oscillation was 2.52 hours (range, 1.9 to 3.0 hours). The peaks and troughs of FGF21 oscillation showed no circadian rhythm. However, the oscillation frequency had a diurnal variation and was lower during the light-off period than during the light-on period (2.4 vs. 7.3 times, P<0.001). There was no difference in the total frequency or duration of oscillations between non-obese and obese subjects, but obese individuals had increased numbers of larger oscillations (amplitude > or =0.19 ng/mL).
CONCLUSION
Various oscillation patterns in serum FGF21 concentration were observed, and reduced oscillation frequencies were seen during sleep. The oscillation patterns of serum FGF21 concentration suggest that FGF21 may be secreted into systemic circulation in a pulsatile manner. Obesity appeared to affect the amplitude of oscillations of serum FGF21.

Keyword

Diurnal variation; Fibroblast growth factor 21; Obesity; Oscillation

MeSH Terms

Circadian Rhythm
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Fibroblasts
Glucose
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Insulin
Leptin
Male
Obesity
Radioimmunoassay
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Glucose
Hydrocortisone
Insulin
Leptin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The 24 hour profiles of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and other metabolite concentrations in 10 healthy male volunteers. The subjects consumed breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) at the times indicated. The shaded area represents the lights-off period.

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  Fig. 2 Individual diurnal pattern of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Note the inter-individual variation and the heterogeneity of the oscillation patterns. Serum FGF21 profiles of non-obese (L) subjects are shown in the left panels, whereas those of obese (O) subjects are shown in the right panels. B, breakfast; L, lunch; D, dinner.

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  Fig. 3 Correlation of average morning fasting concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) with 24 hour area under the curve (AUC) values.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of the 24 hour profiles of free fatty acid (A), glucose (B), insulin (C), cortisol (D), and leptin (E) concentrations with serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). B, breakfast; L, lunch; D, dinner.

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