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Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a role in kidney disease. Circulating FGF21 levels are associated with kidney function and progression in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the association between FGF21 and kidney function in the general population is still lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the association between FGF21 and kidney function and its progression in a Chinese cohort. A total of 2425 participants from a population-based survey of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Pinggu, Beijing, were included in the baseline analysis. After a median follow-up of 12 months, 2402 participants with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were analyzed in the longitudinal study. The progression of kidney function was defined as an eGFR decline exceeding 3.3% per year. Serum FGF21 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline. Male sex, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), uric acid, and FGF21 were associated with increased odds of a lower eGFR at baseline. The association of FGF21 with lower eGFR was independent of all the potential confounders in multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval 1.002–1.008). However, FGF21 was not associated with eGFR decline in the longitudinal analysis (odds ratio, 1.000; 95% confidence interval 0.998–1.001). Increased serum FGF21 levels were independently associated with lower eGFR in this nonmedicated general population. FGF21 could be a biomarker of kidney function in the general population.

Disturbances in adipocytokine profiles can contribute to peripheral insulin resistance and impairment of insulin production, which are 2 primary pathophysiological mechanisms involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies of disturbed adipocytokine profiles have resulted in ambiguous findings; therefore, we conducted the current study comparing leptin, resistin, and adiponectin concentrations in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM who had normal body mass index (BMI) and those who were obese.We studied a population-based cohort of healthy participants and those with newly diagnosed T2DM. A normal BMI group was randomly selected; age- and sex-matched obese participants were recruited. Circulating leptin, resistin, and adiponectin concentrations were measured and compared between groups using analysis of variance; binary logistic regression analysis was then performed to compare the normal BMI and obese groups.In total, 85 healthy participants and 38 patients with diabetes (19 with normal BMI and 17 who were obese) were enrolled. After adjustment for BMI and waist circumference, the median leptin concentration was higher in the obese group (6.77 (3.89-10.73) ng/mL) than in the normal BMI group (1.69 (0.80-3.89) ng/mL) (P = .007), whereas the median adiponectin concentration was lower in the obese group (1.03 (0.75-2.36) μg/mL vs 3.36 (0.59-7.63) μg/mL, P = .03). In addition, the adiponectin/leptin ratio was higher in the normal BMI group (145.6 (41.3-495.9) ng/mL) than in the obese group (20.55 (8.74-36.94) ng/mL, P = .002).Compared with the normal BMI T2DM group, the obese T2DM group exhibited a disturbed adipocytokine profile in the form of a significantly increased leptin concentration and reduced adiponectin level. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship for this difference and evaluate its importance for personalized diabetic treatment.

Rationale:Botulinum toxin injection is a widely used procedure for the treatment of the dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Although the injection can be guided by ultrasound, electromyography, or computed tomography, such techniques cannot determine the exact extent of narr