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GIP linked to lower LDL, but also unhealthy fat distribution in men
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Although glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide appears to result in improved clearance of LDL cholesterol, it is also associated with unhealthy distribution of fat depots in men, according to recent findings.
In the study, Dorte Vistisen, PhD, of Steno Diabetes Center in Denmark, and colleagues evaluated data from 1,405 participants in the ADDITION-PRO cohort, a longitudinal population of Danish individuals stratified by type 2 diabetes risk.
The researchers measured fasting plasma lipids to determine lipid metabolism and also measured body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and abdominal fat distribution by ultrasonography. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to measure glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and insulin levels. All analyses were stratified by sex due to known differences between men and women in fat distribution depots and plasma lipoprotein concentrations.
The researchers found that in both sexes, a doubling in fasting GIP was linked to lower LDL cholesterol (men, -0.1 mmol/L; women, -0.14 mmol/L) and higher HDL cholesterol in women only (0.06 mmol/L).
In men, an association was seen between doubling the stimulated GIP and a 0.13-cm reduction in subcutaneous fat, but an increase in visceral abdominal fat (0.45 cm) and higher waist-to-hip ratio (0.011). No interactions with insulin were found in any of these associations, which suggests that insulin did not mediate the effect of GIP on male fat distribution, according to researchers.
In women, a 1.2% reduction in fat percentage was seen in association with high levels of stimulated GIP.
Obesity levels were generally highest in participants with high insulin concentrations across all GIP levels and in both sexes.
“In both men and women, GIP is associated with lower LDL levels and in men also with altered fat distribution independent of insulin,” the researchers wrote. “The potential effect of GIP on visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue physiology warrants further examination.” – by Jennifer Byrne
Disclosure: Vistisen reports being an employee of Steno Diabetes Center A/S, a research hospital working in the Danish National Health Service and owned by Novo Nordisk A/S. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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