Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(11): 806-812
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081503
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Relation of Plasma Obestatin Levels to BMI, Gender, Age and Insulin

F. Lippl 1 , J. Erdmann 2 , N. Lichter 1 , S. Tholl 2 , S. Wagenpfeil 3 , O. Adam 4 , V. Schusdziarra 2
  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
  • 2Else-Kröner-Fresenius Center of Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • 3Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • 4Walther-Straub Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 16.10.2007

accepted 17.04.2008

Publication Date:
11 July 2008 (online)

Abstract

Obestatin is supposed to be involved in nutrient homeostasis. Therefore, basal plasma obestatin levels were investigated in 321 normal weight and obese subjects in relation to body mass index, gender, age, insulin concentrations, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, postprandial obestatin levels were determined in 20 normal weight subjects. Basal obestatin levels in females were higher compared to males (193.6±5.8 vs. 140.6±5.1 pg/ml). Obestatin levels correlated inversely and significantly with body mass index (f: r=−0.632, p<0.001; m: r=−0.487, p<0.001) and basal insulin levels (f: r=−0.536, p<0.001; m: r=−0.320, p=0.008) in females and males. However, in a multiple regression analysis as well as in a matched comparison of a low and high insulin group no significant relationship between insulin and obestatin levels was observed in nondiabetics. On the other hand, inclusion of type 2 diabetics with higher insulin levels resulted in a significant inverse correlation. Obestatin levels were independent of age in both sexes. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus basal obestatin levels were not different compared to nondiabetic subjects when matched for gender, body mass index, and insulin. In normal weight subjects, postprandial obestatin levels showed a significant decrease between 60 and 90 minutes rising to basal levels thereafter. The present data demonstrate a relation of plasma obestatin levels to body weight, gender and food intake, but not to age. The inverse relationship with insulin might depend on the level of hyperinsulinemia. The present data are compatible with a potential role of obestatin in nutrient regulation.

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Correspondence

Dr. F. Lippl

Division of Gastroenterology Department of Internal Medicine

University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University

Ziemssenstr. 1

80336 Munich

Germany

Phone: +49/89/5160 21 11

Fax: +49/89/5160 23 61

Email: florian.lippl@med.uni-muenchen.de