Fangsen Xiao1, Mingzhu Lin1, Peiying Huang1, Jinyang Zeng1, Xin Zeng1, Huijie Zhang1, Xiaoying Li1, Shuyu Yang1, Zhibin Li1, Xuejun Li1. 1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes (F.X., M.L., P.H., J.Z., H.Z., Xi.L., S.Y., Xu.L.), the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China; Xiamen Diabetes Institute (M.L., X.Z., Xi.L., S.Y., Z.L., Xu.L.), Xiamen 361003, China; Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Xi.L.), Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China; Epidemiology Research Unit (Z.L.), The First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China; and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics (Z.L.), School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Recent evidence from animal studies indicates that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), an endocrine hormone that regulates glucose, lipid metabolism, and energy homeostasis, is regulated by T3. However, the role of FGF21 in hyperthyroid patients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study serum FGF21 levels in hyperthyroid patients and the association of serum FGF21 levels with hyperthyroidism. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a case-control study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 119 hyperthyroid patients and 108 healthy subjects were recruited. Of them, 41 hyperthyroid patients received thionamide treatment for 3 months until euthyroidism was obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum FGF21 levels were determined using the ELISA method. RESULTS: Serum FGF21 levels were significantly elevated in hyperthyroid patients as compared with normal subjects [median 290.67 (interquartile range, 156.60-502.33) vs 228.10 (169.85.25-320.10) pg/mL; P < .001]. After thionamide treatment, serum FGF21 levels in hyperthyroid patients declined markedly from 249.10 (139.10-444.00) to 106.90 (38.70-196.15) pg/mL (P < .001). Logistic regression revealed that FGF21, basal metabolic rate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and alanine transaminase were significantly associated with hyperthyroidism. With adjustment for potential confounders, serum FGF21 remained independently associated with hyperthyroidism, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.123 (95% confidence interval, 1.306-7.468) (P = .010). CONCLUSION: Serum FGF21 levels were elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism and declined after thionamide treatment. And serum FGF21 level was independently associated with hyperthyroidism.
CONTEXT: Recent evidence from animal studies indicates that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), an endocrine hormone that regulates glucose, lipid metabolism, and energy homeostasis, is regulated by T3. However, the role of FGF21 in hyperthyroidpatients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study serum FGF21 levels in hyperthyroidpatients and the association of serum FGF21 levels with hyperthyroidism. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a case-control study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 119 hyperthyroidpatients and 108 healthy subjects were recruited. Of them, 41 hyperthyroidpatients received thionamide treatment for 3 months until euthyroidism was obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum FGF21 levels were determined using the ELISA method. RESULTS: Serum FGF21 levels were significantly elevated in hyperthyroidpatients as compared with normal subjects [median 290.67 (interquartile range, 156.60-502.33) vs 228.10 (169.85.25-320.10) pg/mL; P < .001]. After thionamide treatment, serum FGF21 levels in hyperthyroidpatients declined markedly from 249.10 (139.10-444.00) to 106.90 (38.70-196.15) pg/mL (P < .001). Logistic regression revealed that FGF21, basal metabolic rate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and alanine transaminase were significantly associated with hyperthyroidism. With adjustment for potential confounders, serum FGF21 remained independently associated with hyperthyroidism, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.123 (95% confidence interval, 1.306-7.468) (P = .010). CONCLUSION: Serum FGF21 levels were elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism and declined after thionamide treatment. And serum FGF21 level was independently associated with hyperthyroidism.