Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a metabolic regulator with multiple effects on improving glucose metabolism and energy utilization. Recent researches pointed that FGF-21 protect endothelial function against high glucose induced cell damage. Our research tried to detect the relationship of FGF-21 and endothelial dysfunction in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients.

Methods: Fifty newly diagnosed T2D patients and fifty healthy controls were recruited in the research. Clinical and biological data, FGF-21 were measured. Endothelial function was tested by reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) approved by American Food and Drug Administration.

Results: T2DM patients had higher FGF-21 levels (155.57±85.3 vs. 117.39±68.9ug/l,P<0.05) and more serious endothelial dysfunction (1.73±0.51 vs. 2.05±0.52,P<0.05) than controls. RHI was negatively related with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r=-0.322, P<0.05) and positively with FGF-21 (r=0.543, P<0.01). In the multivariate linear analysis, FGF-21 (β=0.551,P<0.01) and LDL-C (β=-0.188,P<0.01) were independently predictors of RHI. FGF-21 was the protective factor of endothelial function in the T2D patients.

Conclusions: T2D patients had endothelial dysfunction even in the early period. Elevated FGF-21 might protect endothelial dysfunction.

Disclosure

Y. Hu: None. Y. Xu: None. G. Wang: None.

Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. More information is available at http://www.diabetesjournals.org/content/license.