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Bariatric surgery does not affect FGF21 levels
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Levels of fasting plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 are not increased after bariatric surgery, but do show an increased postprandial response to oral glucose, study data show.
Birgitte Andersen, PhD, of Novo Nordisk in Denmark, and colleagues evaluated eight adults with obesity who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to determine fasting levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) before and after surgery, as well as postprandial FGF21 responses after a glucose load and mixed meal.
Before and after surgery, plasma FGF21 was measured on 3 different days during oral glucose loads (25 g or 50 g glucose) or a mixed meal. Before the meal and at 15-minute intervals until 90 minutes and at 150 minutes and 210 minutes relative to the start of the meal, blood samples were collected.
Researchers observed no change from before surgery in fasting plasma FGF21 after surgery. However, on all three occasions after surgery, three participants had increased fasting plasma FGF21 (P = .04; P = .03; and P = .04).
Compared with the liquid mixed meal, the two oral glucose challenges increased FGF21 in tests before and after surgery. After surgery, FGF21 at 150 minutes in response to the 25-g oral glucose test was borderline significantly increased (P = .107), whereas it was increased in response to the 50-g test at 90 (P = .046) and 150 minutes (P = .004).
“This study shows that the early postoperative postprandial response in plasma FGF21 to an oral glucose load is significantly increased after gastric bypass,” the researchers wrote. “On the other hand, plasma FGF21 is only increased in response to glucose in the absence of protein. This has not been reported previously, and the study therefore adds to our understanding of the possible role of postprandial FGF21 after bariatric surgery, which may be to regulate food preferences and downregulate carbohydrate intake.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: Andersen reports being an employee of Novo Nordisk. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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