Specific FSTL1 polymorphism may determine the risk of cardiomyopathy in patients with acromegaly

We have investigated the role of a cardiomyokine, follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), and its single nucleotide polymorphism on acromegalic cardiomyopathy.

The study was performed as a cross-sectional case research in a Tertiary Referral Centre. Forty-six patients with acromegaly (29 F-17 M, mean age: 50.3 ± 12.1 years) were included. FSTL1 levels were measured and the rs1259293 region of the FSTL1 gene was subjected to polymorphism analysis. 1.5 Tesla MRI was used to obtain cardiac images.

There were 15 active (6 F-9M) and 31 (22 F-9M) controlled patients. Active patients had a higher left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMi). GH levels were positively correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), stroke volume index (SVi), cardiac index (Ci), LVM and LVMi; r = 0.35, 0.38, 0.34, 0.39 and 0.39, respectively. IGF-1 index was positively correlated with LVEDVi, left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVi), SVi, Ci, LVM and LVMi; r = 0.36, 0.34, 0.32, 0.31, 0.42 and 0.42, respectively. Twenty out of 46 patients with acromegaly (43.5%) had myocardial fibrosis. FSTL1 levels were neither correlated with disease activity nor with any functional and structural cardiac parameter. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed no association between FSTL1 and any study parameters. The rs1259293 variant genotype CC was significantly associated with low left ventricular mass.

Serum FSTL1 levels are not associated with functional and structural measures of myocardium in patients with acromegaly. However, the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy is reduced in CC genotyped individuals of FSTL1.