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. 2025 Jul 1;25(1):482.
doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05833-z.

Circulating fibroblast growth factor-21, Omentin-1, and betatrophin and their association with metabolic parameters in Saudi adolescents post 12-month lifestyle change program

Mona M Alenazi  1 , Shaun Sabico  1   2 , Abdullah M Alnaami  2 , Kaiser Wani  2 , Syed D Hussain  2 , Nasser M Al-Daghri  3   4
Affiliations

Circulating fibroblast growth factor-21, Omentin-1, and betatrophin and their association with metabolic parameters in Saudi adolescents post 12-month lifestyle change program

Mona M Alenazi et al. BMC Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) and omentin-1 have been recognized as potent antidiabetic agents with potential hepatoprotective activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between betatrophin, hepatic FGF21 and omentin-1 as predictive markers of insulin resistance in adolescents who underwent a 12-month lifestyle change intervention program.

Methods: Prospective data of 218 Saudi adolescents (45 normal and 77 overweight, and 96 obese) (mean age = 15.1 ± 1.5 years and mean BMI = 35.1 ± 6.6 kg/m2) who participated in a 12-month lifestyle modification program were included. Baseline and follow-up data on anthropometrics and clinical data were collected. Serum levels of betatrophin, omentin-1, FGF-21 and 25(OH)D were assessed using commercially available assays. Analysis and comparisons were done according to varying levels of body mass index (BMI) and glycemic status.

Results: Results showed that betatrophin level decreased in the obese and prediabetic groups (p = 0.03, p = 0.002 respectively). There was a significant decrease in BMI in obese and overweight participants after the 12-month lifestyle modification program [35.1 ± 6.6 & 33.1 ± 7.5 and 26.6 ± 1.5 & 25.6 ± 2.3, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively]. Follow-up omentin1 was significantly elevated in overweight and obese individuals but no significant difference in omentin-1 in prediabetic group at follow-up was observed (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: We concluded that betatrophin levels had an inverse association with metabolic biomarkers omentin-1, FGF-21, and 25(OH)D after a 12-month lifestyle modification program. A healthy diet and exercise are associated with decreased betatrophin levels and improving glucose tolerance.

Keywords: Adolescents; Betatrophin; FGF-21; Obesity; Omentin-1; Prediabetic; Vitamin-D.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All subjects signed a written informed consent before their participation in the study, which was approved by the Ethical Review Board and abiding by the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Ref. No. 23/0081/IRB-A). Participants as well as their respective parents or legal guardians were fully informed about the purpose and procedures of the study before giving assent and signing the informed consent form, respectively. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the study participants
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The scatterplot shows the bivariate correlations of omentin-1 with BMI at baseline. Variables were log-transformed before the correlation analysis was performed. A p < 0.05 was considered significant
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Betatrophin levels according to obesity (A) and glycemic status (B) at baseline and follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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