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Low serm Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 levels is not associated with Carotid intima-media thickness in acromegaly patients

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A Correction to this article was published on 25 July 2022

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Abstract

Introduction

Elevated fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels are related to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a well-established marker of atherosclerosis. Acromegaly has also been linked to increased CIMT. There has been no data considering the association between FGF-21 levels and atherosclerosis in acromegaly patients. This study aimed to evaluate FGF-21 levels and CIMT in acromegalic patients in relation to atherosclerotic complications.

Design

Case–control study.

Materials and methods

The study group included 70 acromegaly patients and 72 healthy volunteers from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disease, Marmara University Medical School. FGF-21, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, lipids, glucose, insulin levels were assessed. CIMT was measured from the common carotid artery wall on B-mode ultrasound.

Results

Median FGF-21 levels were significantly lower in the acromegaly group than in the control group. CIMT was higher in acromegaly patients compared to controls. Although there was no correlation between FGF-21 levels and CIMT in patients with acromegaly, a positive correlation was found between high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and FGF-21 levels. Glucose metabolic markers were the determining factors of the FGF-21 levels in acromegaly patients.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to examine the relationship between serum FGF-21 levels and atherosclerosis in acromegaly patients. The lower serum FGF-21 levels in acromegaly subjects might be associated with the improving effects of growth hormone on liver fat. Acromegaly was linked to higher CIMT, but there was no correlation between FGF-21 levels and CIMT. The role of FGF-21 in acromegaly as a marker of atherosclerosis requires additional research.

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Funding

This study did not receive any specific grants from any funding agencies in the public, commercial, or nonprofit sector.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deparment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    M. M. Uygur & D. Gogas Yavuz

  2. Deparment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    D. Dereli Yazıcı

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  1. M. M. Uygur
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Correspondence to M. M. Uygur.

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Research involving human participants and/or animals

The Local Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (protocol no: 09.2014.0043).

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Uygur, M.M., Dereli Yazıcı, D. & Gogas Yavuz, D. Low serm Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 levels is not associated with Carotid intima-media thickness in acromegaly patients. J Endocrinol Invest 45, 1405–1412 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01775-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01775-w

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