High DPP-4 concentrations in adolescents are associated with low intact GLP-1

• Context: Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) metabolizes glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and increased DPP4 levels are associated with obesity and visceral adiposity in adults.Objective: Investigating DPP-4 levels in adolescents and association with, firstly, circulating intact GLP-1 levels and glucose tolerance, secondly, BMI, and, thirdly visceral, subcutaneous and liver fat compartments.Design: Cross-sectional study, July 2012 to April 2015.Setting: Pediatric obesity clinic, Uppsala University Hospital.Patients and participants: Children and adolescents with obesity (n=59) and lean controls (n=21), age 8-18.Main outcome measures: BMI SDS, fasting plasma concentrations of DPP-4, total and intact GLP-1, fasting and OGTT concentrations of glucose and visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue volumes and liver fat fraction.Results: Plasma DPP-4 decreased with age both in obese (41 ng/ml per year) and lean subjects (48 ng/ml per year). Plasma DPP-4 was higher in males both in the obesity and lean group. When adjusting for age and sex, plasma DPP-4 was negatively associated with intact GLP-1 at fasting, B=-12.3, 95% CI [-22.9, -1.8] and during OGTT, B=-12.1, 95% CI [-22.5, -1.7]. No associations were found between DPP-4 and plasma glucose measured at fasting or after a 2-hour OGTT. Plasma DPP-4 was 19% higher in the obese subjects. Among adipose tissue compartments the strongest association was with VAT, B=0.05, 95% CI [-0.02, 0.12].Conclusions: In adolescents, high plasma DPP-4 concentrations are associated with low proportion of intact GLP-1, high BMI, young age and male sex. The observed associations are compatible with an increased metabolism of GLP-1 in childhood obesity.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)