Inflammation but not obesity or insulin resistance is associated with increased plasma fibroblast growth factor 23...

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone involved in calcium-phosphate homoeostasis. The data of recently published studies suggest that FGF-23 may also play a role in some metabolic processes beyond mineral metabolism, such as insulin resistance or energy homoeostasis. The aim of the study was to attempt the relationships between plasma cFGF-23 (C-terminal) and iFGF-23 (intact) concentrations and the occurrence of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in elderly population.

The analysis included 3115 elderly subjects (1485 women). During three visits, a questionnaire survey, comprehensive geriatric assessment and anthropometric measurements were performed as well as blood and urine samples were collected by trained nurses. Serum phosphorus, calcium, intact parathormone (iPTH), 25(OH)D3 , iFGF-23 and cFGF-23, insulin, glucose, albumin (also in urine), creatinine, hs-CRP, interleukin-6 and NT-proBNP concentrations were assessed. HOMA-IR was calculated according to the standard formula.

Both forms of FGF23, iPTH and 25-OH-D3 levels were not related to the occurrence of obesity and insulin resistance. Increase in phosphorus, iPTH and NT-proBNP concentrations is associated with rise in plasma iFGF23 and cFGF23 levels. Additionally, increase in hs-CRP explained the elevated plasma iFGF23 levels. In multiple regression models, circulating iFGF23 and cFGF23 level's variability in elderly population were explained by changes in serum phosphorus, iPTH, eGFR, hs-CRP and NT-proBNP levels but not by BMI and HOMA-IR values.

In conclusion, our study shows that increased levels of both circulating Fibroblast growth factor 23 forms in elderly subjects are associated with inflammation but not obesity or insulin resistance per se.