biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)Zakic KUniversität Augsburg<h4>Background</h4>Obesity, particularly central adiposity, is a major risk factor for impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes. The biological mechanisms linking body fat distribution to glucose regulation remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigated the associations between body fat distribution and plasma markers of glucose metabolism in a population-based sample and examined the mediating role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in this connection.<h4>Methods</h4>The analysis was based on data from 238 participants of the MEGA study (German acronym for metabolic health study Augsburg) conducted between 2018 and 2021. Anthropometric measurements and a body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were conducted. HGF was measured from EDTA plasmaDiabetology & metabolic syndrome68https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12918471biostudies-literatureThe role of hepatocyte growth factor in the relationship between body fat distribution and plasma markers of glucose metabolism: a cross-sectional study.PMC12918471Zakic KLinseisen JMeisinger CFreuer DfalseThe role of hepatocyte growth factor in the relationship between body fat distribution and plasma markers of glucose metabolism: a cross-sectional study.<h4>Background</h4>Obesity, particularly central adiposity, is a major risk factor for impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes. The biological mechanisms linking body fat distribution to glucose regulation remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigated the associations between body fat distribution and plasma markers of glucose metabolism in a population-based sample and examined the mediating role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in this connection.<h4>Methods</h4>The analysis was based on data from 238 participants of the MEGA study (German acronym for metabolic health study Augsburg) conducted between 2018 and 2021. Anthropometric measurements and a body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were conducted. HGF was measured from EDTA plasma2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-07-16T09:15:08.778Z2026-07-09T10:46:21.731ZS-EPMC129184714159375710.1186/s13098-026-02096-1