Basal Glucagonlike Peptide 1 Levels and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Patients

Abstract

Objective

Glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1) is the most potent stimulator of glucose-induced insulin secretion. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships of basal circulating GLP-1 and metabolic syndrome in obese patients without cardiovascular disease.

Materials and Methods

A sample of 202 obese patients was enrolled. Dietary intake, weight, bioimpedance, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and GLP-1 levels were measured in all patients. To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the definitions of the Adult Treatment Panel III was considered.

Results

Patients were divided at the median of GLP-1 value (8.02 ng/dL): group 1 (n = 101) and group 2 (n = 101). Metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence was higher in patients with the lowest median group of GLP-1 (52.5% vs 38.6%; P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation among serum GLP-1 levels and the independent variables; waist-to-hip ratio (r = −0.15; P < 0.05), glucose (r = −0.15; P < 0.05), total cholesterol (r = −0.22; P < 0.05), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = −0.27; P < 0.05). In the logistic analysis with MS presence/absence as an independent variable, only weight and GLP-1 levels remained in the model. Weight shows an odds ratio of 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.13) by each increase of 1 kg of weight, and GLP-1 levels shows an odds ratio of 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.99) by each increase of 1 ng/dL of GLP-1 levels.

Conclusions

Obese patients with MS had lower mean GLP-1 levels than those without MS. Glucagonlike peptide 1 levels remained as a preventive factor to develop MS.