DPP4 activity is related to body weight and central fat in postmenopausal women

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a new adipokine increased in central obesity and related to insulin resistance (IR). Postmenopausal (PM) state may be associated with increase in body weight and central fat distribution. We hypothesize that DPP4 is increased in PM women.

Twenty-two non-obese PM and 22 non-obese premenopausal women (PreM), were evaluated. DPP4 activity, lipid profile, HbA1c, FSH, estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured; an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and IR calculated. Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Correlations between DPP4 and the anthropometric and metabolic variables and body fat distribution were studied.

DPP4 activity was not different between the two groups (PM 5309 ± 650 vs PreM 5387 ± 704 RLU; p = 0,70). In the PM group there was a significant correlation between DPP4 and body weight (r = 0,498; p = 0,03; n = 22) and trunk fat (r = 0,477; p = 0,03; n = 21). There was also a trend for correlation with android (r = 0,418; p = 0,06; n = 21) and total fat (r = 0,409; p = 0,06; n = 21). When stratified by BMI, DPP4 was significantly higher in PM women with BMI ≥25 kg/m² (p = 0,02).

DPP4 was not increased in PM but is associated with body weight and body fat centralization.