Different association of circulating levels of adipocyte and epidermal fatty acid-binding proteins with metabolic syndrome and coronary atherosclerosis in Chinese adults

Abstract

Aims: Adipocyte and epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP, E-FABP) are cytoplasmic proteins which may play an important role in metabolic diseases. In the present study, we investigated the different association of A-FABP and E-FABP with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese adults.

Methods: A total of 459 subjects (233 MetS and 226 non-MetS) who had undergone coronary angiography were enrolled in the present study. Serum A-FABP and E-FABP levels, glucose, lipid profiles and other biochemical markers were measured.

Results: Both serum A-FABP and E-FABP levels were significantly higher in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group (P = 0.040 and 0.045, respectively). Only serum A-FABP levels in the CAD group were significantly higher than in the non-CAD group (12.30 ± 5.45 vs.10.94 ± 4.94 ng/mL, P= 0.008), and significantly increased with the increasing of number of disease vessels (P=0.004). Serum A-FABP levels were also associated with risk of CAD (odds ratio 2.956 [1.295-6.748]; P = 0.010). Adjusting for age, sex, and other conventional risk factors for CAD did not appreciably change the results. No difference was found in serum E-FABP levels between CAD status. Serum E-FABP levels were correlated with fasting and post load 2h plasma glucose, HbA1c, serum total cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations while serum A-FABP levels were correlated with fasting and post load 2h serum insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR (different P<0.05).

Conclusions: Our data indicated while both serum A-FABP and E-FABP levels had associations with MetS, only A-FABP was significantly associated with increased risk of CAD in Chinese adults.