The impact of gender on the relation of serum angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) level with metabolic parameters in adults

Object

ANGPTL8 is a newly identified liver-derived hormone closely linked to metabolic parameters. Metabolic factors include abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, high levels of triglycerides, and hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of serum ANGPTL8 level with metabolic parameters in Iraqi adults in terms of their gender.

Methods

A total of 108 adult Iraqi participants were enrolled in this prospective study, comprising 62 females and 46 males. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their age: Group I consisted of individuals aged 20 to 39, Group II comprised those aged 40 to 59, and Group III included subjects aged 60 to 80. Twenty females and twenty males were included in the study. The study utilized an ELISA method to quantify the fasting serum ANGPTL8. Additionally, metabolic markers including lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated.

Results

The serum ANGPTL8 levels in males were significantly lower than those in females, (mean 28.5 vs 19 ng/mL; P = 0.003). As both genders aged, the levels of ANGPTL8 decreased. Females experienced a decline from 31.2 to 24.3 and then to 25.8 ng/ml, while males saw their levels drop from 21.9 to 18.1, then to 18.5 ng/ml respectively. Females exhibit a positive correlation between ANGPTL8 and TG and LDL-C levels (r = 0.633; p = 0.021 and r = 0.454; p = 0.01, respectively). ANGPTL8 alone demonstrated very good discrimination power (AUC = 0.85) in identifying females with dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

The results of our study suggest that Serum ANGPTL8 could be considered as a potential risk factor for dyslipidemia. It appears that the impact of this factor may be related to adipocyte metabolism, particularly in female participants.