The association between retinol-binding protein 4 and prediabetes in obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Context

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is associated with visceral fat and insulin resistance (IR) in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but some of these data remain controversial.

Objective

This study evaluated the relationship between serum RBP4 levels and prediabetes in obese patients with NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 79 obese NAFLD patients without (n = 41) and with prediabetes (n = 38) were included. Serum RBP4 was measured using ELISA method.

Results

Higher RBP4 serum levels were observed in patients with prediabetes, metabolic syndrome (MetS), or dyslipidaemia. There was correlation between RBP4 levels and visceral adiposity index (VAI), glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and Quicki index. RBP4 ≥ 61 mcg/ml have about 3.5-fold higher risk of prediabetes (OR 3.544, 95% CI 1.385–9.072, p=.008), and RBP4 ≥ 55 mcg/ml increased the risk for MetS approximately 3.1 times.

Conclusions

RBP4 is associated with increased risk for prediabetes and MetS in obese patients with NAFLD.

Keywords:

• Retinol-binding protein 4
• prediabetes
• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• obesity
• metabolic syndrome

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by Medical University of Sofia and performed in University Hospital Alexandrovska, Bulgaria. Project No. 8516/12.12.2016. Contract No. D-114/2017.