Preliminary evaluation of oxyntomodulin as a biomarker for metabolic risk stratification in adults with obesity.

Fasting oxyntomodulin levels were significantly elevated in obese individuals compared to both overweight individuals and healthy controls.

• The study included overweight (O1, n=88), obese (O2, n=134), and healthy control (CG, n=39) groups in a cross-sectional design.
• OXM levels were significantly higher in the O2 group compared to both O1 and CG (p<0.0001).
• The comparison was based on fasting OXM concentration measured alongside biochemical and hormonal analyses.

Fasting oxyntomodulin positively correlated with several anthropometric parameters, including visceral adipose tissue mass and volume in obese individuals.

• Positive correlations were observed between OXM and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and volume specifically in the O2 (obese) group.
• Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
• The correlations were among multiple anthropometric parameters evaluated in the study.

Logistic regression analysis showed that higher oxyntomodulin levels were significantly associated with the risk of obesity.

• Logistic regression was used to assess the association between OXM levels and obesity risk.
• Higher OXM was identified as a significant predictor of obesity in the regression model.
• This association was observed across the study population encompassing overweight, obese, and control participants.

Increasing oxyntomodulin levels were associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and related metabolic complications, predominantly in advanced stages of weight gain.

• The association between OXM and insulin resistance (IR) risk was most prominent in the obese group (O2), representing advanced stages of weight gain.
• Insulin resistance and β-cell function were evaluated using validated indices.
• OXM was identified as a measurable indicator of IR in obesity based on these findings.
• Glucose-insulin homeostasis and lipid profile were included in the biochemical and hormonal analyses.

The study provides preliminary evidence that oxyntomodulin constitutes a potential biomarker of visceral adiposity and early metabolic dysregulation in obesity.

• OXM is described as serving as a measurable indicator of insulin resistance in obesity.
• The study was cross-sectional in design, which the authors characterize as providing 'preliminary evidence.'
• OXM is a dual agonist of GLP-1 and glucagon receptors (GCGRs) with anorexigenic, insulinotropic, and energy expenditure-enhancing effects, secreted by enteroendocrine L-cells.
• The physiological role and clinical significance of endogenous OXM in human obesity were described as 'incompletely elucidated' prior to this study.