Endocrine Abstracts

Clear evidence on the specific impact of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) on cell biology and lipid metabolism in complex systems had been lacking until FABP-deficient mice models were created. Surprisingly, no change in appearance, gross morphology or viability was observed in FABP1-deficient mice. However, metabolic parameters in mice upon exposure to high-fat/cholesterol diet differed between studies. Therefore, liver fatty acid-binding protein (also called FABP1) plays an inconclusive role in adiposity. We investigated the association of serum FABP1 levels with obesity and insulin resistance in Chinese young people lower than 30 years old. Cross-sectional analysis including 200 obese and 172 normal-weight subjects matched for age and sex, anthropometric measurements were performed and serum FABP1 and biochemical characteristics were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and by the insulin sensitivity index (Si). FABP1 levels in obese subjects were significantly higher than those in normal-weight subjects (P<0.001) and the significance remained after adjustment for age, gender, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001). Serum FABP1 levels were significantly correlated with many metabolic-related indices, with BMI and triglycerides as the independent determinants. FABP1 levels remained an independent risk factor of insulin resistance assessed by HOMA-IR (β=0.119, P=0.006) and Si values lower than 0.990 (OR=2.107 per S.D. unit, 95% CI [1.230–3.611], P=0.007) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Serum FABP1 correlate positively with obesity and insulin resistance in Chinese young adults. Our data supports the fact that FABP1 might be an important mediator participating in fatty acid metabolism and energy balance.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.