Abstract

Background: Betatrophin is a novel adipokine/hepatokine that promotes pancreatic β-cell proliferation and regulates lipid metabolism.

Aims: This study is to evaluate the role of serum betatrophin in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: A hospital-based age-/gender-/Body Mass Index-matched case-control study of 194 subjects was conducted in Hangzhou, China. Serum level of Betatrophin was measured and validated by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and western blotting. The serum levels of 12 adipokines were evaluated by commercial Adipokine Magnetic Bead Panel kits. Statistical analyses included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, bivariate correlation, and multivariate stepwise linear regression.

Results: Serum Betatrophin witnessed a higher level in NAFLD patients (1094.98 ± 541.31 pg/mL, P < 0.001), compared with controls (730.03 ± 431.10 pg/mL). Compared with the lowest tertile of serum Betatrophin level, the highest tertile indicated an association with higher odds of NAFLD (adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.012, 95% Confidence interval [CI] [1.285-3.148], P = 0.002). ROC curve of Betatrophin was developed to predict the presence of NAFLD (Area under ROC = 0.702 [95% CI 0.628-0.777t, P < 0.001). Furthermore, Betatrophin correlated with several parameters, including age, Waist-to-hip ratio, Fasting plasma glucose, Haemoglobin A1C, Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and Fasting C Peptide, and various adipokines, including Resistin, Interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α.

Conclusions: Serum Betatrophin level increased in subjects with NAFLD and was associate with parameters of β-cell function and inflammation