HIGHER SERUM LEVELS OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR 21 IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH CACHEXIA. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franz, K; Ost, M; Herpich, C; Otten, L; Coleman, V; Klaus, S; Müller-Werdan, U; Norman, K
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 300
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The hormonal mediator fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is promptly induced by short fasting periods in animal models to regulate glucose and fat metabolism (Inagaki et al. 2007). Data on FGF21 in humans are controversial and FGF21 has not yet been investigated in geriatric patients with loss of appetite and ongoing weight loss. We aimed to explore the association of FGF21 with cachexia in old patients and a healthy control group. Serum FGF21 levels were measured with commercial ELISA-kits. Cachexia was defined as ≥5% weight loss in the last three months (Evans et al., 2008) and concurrent anorexia (Council on Nutrition appetite questionnaire). We included 103 patients (76.9 ± 5.2 years, 53.4% women) and 56 healthy controls (72.9 ± 5.9 years, 57.1% women) in a prospective cross-sectional study. Cachectic patients (n=17, 16.5%) had significantly higher FGF21 levels compared to non-cachectic patients (952.1 ± 227.8 pg/ml vs. 525.2 ± 66 pg/ml; p=0.022). The lowest FGF21 levels were found in old healthy controls (293.3 ± 20.5 pg/ml, global p<0.001). Overall in the study cohort, percentage of weight loss (r= 0.442, p=0.001) and loss of appetite (r= -0.277, p=0.001) correlated significantly with FGF21 levels, whereas there was no correlation between overall BMI and FGF21 (r= - 0.148, p=0.081). Geriatric patients with cachexia and anorexia exhibited the highest FGF21 levels. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the degree of weight loss, anorexia and FGF21 levels. Whether this is an adaptive response to the nutrient deprivation in disease-related cachexia or the increased FGF21 values contribute to the catabolic state, needs to be clarified.