Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 as a Novel Risk Marker for Metabolic Syndrome

Researchers in the United States have identified fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) as a potential risk marker for metabolic syndrome. The study, published in Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental, found that serum FABP4 levels decreased by 40% during an oral glucose tolerance test, reaching its nadir at 3 hours and staying below baseline at 5 hours. The findings suggest that FABP4 may be a better predictor of metabolic risk than fasting free fatty acids (FFA).

Key Takeaways:

Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) chaperones free fatty acids (FFAs) in adipocytes during lipolysis, and has emerged as a novel risk marker for metabolic syndrome.
Serum FABP4 levels decreased by 40% during an oral glucose tolerance test, reaching its nadir at 3 hours and staying below baseline at 5 hours.
Fasting FABP4 related to metabolic risk markers more strongly than fasting FFA.
Nadir FABP4 and nadir FFA measured after glucose loading may provide better risk assessment than fasting values.
The study involved 36 overweight or obese women, who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and had their serum lipids and inflammation markers measured at fasting.
The researchers concluded that FABP4 may be a better predictor of metabolic risk than traditional markers such as fasting FFA.

Statistics:

Serum FABP4 levels decreased by 40% during an oral glucose tolerance test.
The nadir FABP4 level was 31.9 +/- 1.6 ng/mL at 3 hours.
The FABP4 level stayed below baseline at 5 hours, measuring 35.9 +/- 2.2 ng/mL.
The study involved 36 overweight or obese women, aged .
The research was published in the journal Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental, volume 58, issue 7, pages 1002-1007.

Sources:

Karakas, S.E. et al. "Serum fatty acid binding protein 4, free fatty acids, and metabolic risk markers." Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental, volume 58, issue 7, pages 1002-1007.