Circulating follistatin displays a day-night rhythm and is associated with muscle mass and circulating leptin levels in healthy, young humans

Metabolism. 2016 Oct;65(10):1459-65. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.07.002. Epub 2016 Jul 8.

Abstract

Purpose: Follistatin may affect lean and fat mass and be implicated in metabolic diseases. We aimed to elucidate physiological predictors of circulating follistatin variation in healthy young humans.

Procedures: This was an observational, cross-sectional study with two additional prospective observational arms (circadian, seasonal sub-studies) and one prospective interventional arm (mixed meal sub-study). Healthy, young individuals of both sexes (n=122) were subjected to anthropometric and body composition measurements and their eating and exercise behavior profiles were assessed by validated questionnaires. Sub-groups were subjected to standardized meal ingestion (n=36), day-night rhythm (n=20) and seasonal variation (n=20) studies. Main outcome of the study were circulating follistatin levels.

Results: At baseline follistatin levels were correlated with creatinine (r=0.24; p=0.01), creatine phosphokinase (rs=0.22; p=0.02), and with lean body mass (rs=0.19; p=0.04) and were higher in males than females (p=0.004) after adjustment for leptin, which was its major predictor. Follistatin levels showed a circadian (p<0.001), but not a seasonal, variation, and were also affected by the phase of menstrual cycle in females (p=0.034). Follistatin levels were not affected by dietary or exercise habits but levels increased after a standardized meal ingestion (250kcal) (p=0.002).

Conclusions: In healthy young individuals circulating follistatin levels are correlated with muscle mass. Follistatin levels are associated with circulating leptin levels and display a day-night rhythm and a menstrual cycle, but not a seasonal, variation.

Keywords: Circadian rhythm; Fat mass; Follistatin; Lean body mass; Leptin.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Body Composition
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Follistatin / blood*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Leptin / blood*
  • Male
  • Menstrual Cycle / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seasons
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • FST protein, human
  • Follistatin
  • Leptin
  • Creatinine
  • Creatine Kinase