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Fetuin-A and change in body composition in older persons
Joachim H Ix1, Christina L Wassel, Glenn M Chertow
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, and Division of Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161, USA. joeix@ucsd.edu
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 13, 2009
Summary
Higher serum fetuin-A levels are linked to increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation over five years in older adults. This finding suggests a potential role for fetuin-A in age-related body composition changes and metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health
- Aging Research
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Fetuin-A is known to inhibit the insulin receptor in vitro.
- Elevated serum fetuin-A is associated with type 2 diabetes and adiposity.
- The longitudinal association between fetuin-A and adiposity accumulation was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and changes in body composition over a 5-year period.
- To determine if higher fetuin-A concentrations predict future increases in adiposity.
Main Methods:
- An observational cohort study nested within the Health Aging and Body Composition Study.
- Serum fetuin-A levels were measured as the primary predictor.
- Body composition measures including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue, thigh muscle area, waist circumference, and BMI were assessed at baseline and after 5 years.
Main Results:
- Higher serum fetuin-A concentrations were significantly associated with an increase in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over 5 years.
- Each standard deviation increase in fetuin-A was linked to a 5.5% increase in VAT.
- Higher fetuin-A levels also predicted extreme VAT gain, but were not significantly associated with changes in other body composition measures.
Conclusions:
- Increased serum fetuin-A concentrations are associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation in well-functioning older adults.
- The underlying mechanisms connecting fetuin-A, VAT, and insulin resistance require further investigation.
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