Relationship between fibroblast growth factor 21 and lipoproteins in young and middle-aged men with multiple cardiovascular co-morbidities

Objective. To evaluate the lipid disorders and expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 in young and middleaged men with multiple cardiovascular co-morbidities.

Design and methods. The study included 40 men with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 10 healthy men. All participants underwent complex psychological tests, laboratory and instrumental cardiovascular assessment. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was measured by ELISA using BCM Diagnostics SK00145–01 kits (BCM Diagnostics, USA).

Results. The level of FGF21 was 3‑fold higher in patients with CVD (269,02 ± 27,4 ng/l) compared to the 1st control group (94,87 ± 12,3 ng/l). The FGF21 level was 224,02 ± 15,3 ng/l in the group with CVD without anxiety-depressive symptoms (2nd group), 350, 54 ± 25,3 ng/l in CVD patients with anxiety (3rd group), and 756,1 ± 38,7 ng/l in CVD patients with depressive symptoms (4th group). In patients with CVD there was a decrease in Apo A‑I (159,76 ± 15,6 mg/dl) and Apo C–II (10,02 ± 3,7 mg/dl) compared to the control group (184,3 ± 193 and 41,1 ± 9,5 mg/dL, respectively). Also there was an increase in Apo B (119,62 ± 18,1 mg/dl) and Apo C–III (10,86 ± 4,2 mg/dl) compared to the controls (96,9 ± 11,8 and 3,9 ± 1,1 mg/dl, respectively). FGF21 correlated with serum Apo C–III, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo C–II.

Conclusions. Patients with multiple cardiovascular co-morbidities have a 19% increase in Apo B and a 3‑fold increase in Apo С–III (with the subsequent increase in the ratio “Apo B/Apo A‑I”). Thisis associated with the reduction of Apo A‑I for 13,3%, a 4‑time decrease in Apo С–II, and a three-fold increase in FGF21 compared to the controls and may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Serum level of FGF21 positively correlates with Apo C–III, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo C–II, while there was no evidence of a link with Apo A‑I, Apo B, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. FGF21 is strongly correlated with the severity of dyslipidemia and may be considered an independent marker of lipid metabolism impairment.

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