Association between Serum Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Concentration and Obesity-related Factors in Health Screen Examinees

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is an aminopeptidase that inhibits the enzymatic degradation of glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides, neuropeptides, and various chemokines. Recent studies reported that serum DPP-4 concentration is correlated with clinical parameters of obesity. However, research on these correlations has never been conducted in Korea. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between serum DPP-4 concentration and various clinical parameters of obesity in the Korean population. METHODS: Patients who visited the Health Promotion Center at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center for a regular medical examination between January 2013 and March 2013 and consented to participate in this study were included. We measured and analyzed parameters of obesity. In addition, serum DPP-4 concentration was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: Serum DPP-4 concentration was positively correlated with lean body mass, total cholesterol level, and creatinine level. Serum DPP-4 concentration was higher in the obese group than in the normal body mass index (BMI) group. No significant difference in serum DPP-4 concentration was found between the metabolically healthy group and metabolically unhealthy group. CONCLUSION: Serum DPP-4 concentration was higher in the obesity group than in the normal BMI group, which was associated with obesity-related factors.