Decrease of FGF19 contributes to the increase of fasting glucose in human in an insulin-independent manner

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Research
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), originating from the ileum, is known to regulate hepatic glucose homeostasis in animals independently of insulin.
• Understanding FGF19's role in human glucose metabolism is crucial for metabolic disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum FGF19 levels and glucose effectiveness (GE) in Chinese subjects.
• To examine the relationship between FGF19 and hepatic glucose production (HGP) in the same population.

Main Methods:

• Glucose effectiveness (GE) was assessed using the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) and its oral glucose tolerance test-derived surrogate (oGE).
• Hepatic glucose production (HGP) was measured via a labeled hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.
• Serum FGF19 levels were quantified using ELISA.

Main Results:

• Serum FGF19 showed a significant positive correlation with GE (r=0.29, P=0.004) and oGE (r=0.261, P<0.001).
• FGF19 was negatively associated with basal HGP (r=-0.697, P=0.006).
• While FGF19 correlated negatively with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), this association diminished after adjusting for GE.

Conclusions:

• Serum FGF19 levels are positively associated with glucose effectiveness (GE) and negatively with hepatic glucose production (HGP) in Chinese individuals.
• A decrease in FGF19 may contribute to elevated fasting plasma glucose levels in an insulin-independent manner.