Reduced serum beta-trace protein is associated with metabolic syndrome

Objectivesβ-trace protein (BTP), also known as lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase, has shown to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in vivo. We sought to study the relationship of serum BTP with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsData on 3136 participants aged ≥20 years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III were examined. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of BTP with diabetes and MetS.ResultsReduced levels of BTP were associated with diabetes and MetS in age, sex, and race/ethnicity adjusted models. After further multivariable adjustment, BTP levels in quartile 1 remained significantly associated with MetS (odds ratio 2.04 [95% CI 1.14-3.70], Ptrend = 0.003) when compared with quartile 4. Among the five components of MetS, BTP was associated with hypertriglyceridemia (Ptrend < 0.001) but not diabetes (Ptrend = 0.099).ConclusionMetS is associated with a reduced serum level of BTP.