Diabetes Metab J.  2019 Jun;43(3):368-376. 10.4093/dmj.2018.0066.

Serum R-Spondin 1 Is a New Surrogate Marker for Obesity and Insulin Resistance

• Kang YE
• Kim JM
• Yi HS
• Joung KH
• Lee JH
• Kim HJ
• Ku BJ

• KMID: 2454063
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2018.0066

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recent in vivo studies indicated that R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) regulates food intake and increases insulin secretion, but its role in humans remains unknown. This study investigated the association between serum levels of RSPO1 and diverse metabolic parameters in humans.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 43 subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and 79 non-diabetic participants. Serum levels of RSPO1 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships between circulating RSPO1 and diverse metabolic parameters were analyzed.
RESULTS
Circulating RSPO1 levels increased to a greater extent in the obese group than in the lean group. Moreover, serum levels of RSPO1 were higher in the insulin-resistant group than in the insulin-sensitive group. Serum levels of RSPO1 were significantly correlated with a range of metabolic parameters including body mass index, fasting C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, and lipid profile. Moreover, levels were significantly associated with insulin resistance and obesity in non-diabetic subjects.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated the association between serum levels of RSPO1 and a range of metabolic parameters in humans. Serum levels of RSPO1 are significantly related to obesity and insulin resistance, although the precise mechanisms remain unknown.

Keyword

Insulin resistance; Obesity; RSPO1 protein, human

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers*
Body Mass Index
C-Peptide
Diabetes Mellitus
Eating
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fasting
Homeostasis
Humans
Insulin Resistance*
Insulin*
Obesity*
Biomarkers
C-Peptide
Insulin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) levels in human in relation to diverse metabolic parameters. (A) Comparison of RSPO1 levels between lean group and obese group. (B) Comparison of RSPO1 levels between insulin-sensitive group and insulin resistant group (IR). (C) Comparison of RSPO1 levels between non-diabetic participants and diabetic participants. BMI, body mass index; DM, diabetes mellitus.

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