Epidemiology
Obesity (2008) 16 4, 893–895. doi:10.1038/oby.2007.138
Influence of Age on the Association of Retinol-binding Protein 4 With Metabolic Syndrome
Shai Gavi1, Saima Qurashi1, Louise M. Stuart1, Raymond Lau1, Mark M. Melendez2, Dennis C. Mynarcik1, Margaret A. McNurlan2 and Marie C. Gelato1
- 1Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- 2Department of Surgery, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
Correspondence: Shai Gavi (sgavi@notes.cc.sunysb.edu)
Received 28 November 2006; Accepted 6 August 2007; Published online 31 January 2008.
Abstract
Objective:
The relationships of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) with insulin sensitivity and body fat distribution have been investigated in a few recent studies with conflicting results. This may have been due to differences in ages of the subjects in the different studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association of RBP4 and insulin sensitivity and percent trunk fat are influenced by age.
Methods and Procedures:
Cross-sectional analyses of 48 young subjects and 55 elderly subjects. Insulin sensitivity was determined by a hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp. Body fat distribution was determined by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Results:
In the young subjects, RBP4 levels were associated with insulin sensitivity (r = -0.30, P = 0.04), percent trunk fat (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), triglycerides (r = 0.44, P = 0.003), low-density lipoprotein (r = 0.38, P = 0.01). In contrast, in the elderly subjects there was no correlation between RBP4 levels and insulin sensitivity (r = -0.18, P = 0.20), percent trunk fat (r = 0.00, P = 0.10), triglycerides (r = 0.25, P = 0.10), and low-density lipoprotein (r = -0.11, P = 0.47).
Discussion:
The associations of RBP4 with insulin sensitivity, percent trunk fat, and lipid levels are influenced by age.
