Gender-wise distribution of metabolic risk factors and their relationship with fibroblast growth factor 1 and gene...

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 70% of deaths worldwide, and metabolic risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension greatly increase the incidence of NCDs. Lifestyle changes have exacerbated these conditions in Pakistan; therefore, a better knowledge of their underlying mechanisms is required. This study investigates the relationship between fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) blood levels, the rs152524 gene polymorphism, and metabolic risk factors.

We conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study of 199 adults recruited from outpatient departments between September 2023 and June 2024. After written informed consent, demographic, medical, and biochemical data were collected. FGF1 rs152524 was genotyped using tetra-primer ARMS PCR and serum FGF1 levels were quantified by ELISA at the National Health Research Complex and Lahore College for Women University. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.26; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

There were no significant differences in age or BMI between males and females. However, females demonstrated significantly higher median (IQR) of FGF1 levels [333 pg/ml (250-467) vs. 292 pg/ml (212-374); p = 0.011]. Fasting blood glucose, LDL-cholesterol and hypertension were the three main predictors of FGF1 levels, according to regression analysis. Within the participant population, 38.7% carried the AA genotype of rs152524. The allelic frequencies of reference A and alternative G alleles were 0.5955 and 0.4045 respectively. AA genotype was substantially associated with both hypertension (p < 0.001) and overweight/obesity (p = 0.002). The highest median (IQR) FGF1 blood levels 351(263-546) pg/ml were observed among AA genotype carriers. At the same time, a substantial rise in HDL-cholesterol 36(32-42) was found among carriers of the GG genotype.

This hospital-based study identified a potential association between the FGF1 rs152524 AA genotype and obesity and hypertension. The AA genotype was present in 38% of participants, with risk rising per 'A' allele, while the G allele appeared protective. These preliminary findings require validation in larger, population-based cohorts before clinical relevance can be assessed.