Abstract: Betatrophin is a novel discovered factor that affects the metabolisms of sugar and fat, which is mainly expressed in the liver and adipose tissue. This factor not only has an influence on the glucolipid metabolism, but also has regulating effect on replicating pancreatic β cell. Glucose and lipid metabolic disorder and the decrease in the number of pancreatic β cell are main risk factors of diabetes, diabetic great vascular complications and other complications. Therefore, betatrophin level has close relationship with diabetes.

Key words: betatrophin, diabetes mellitus, pancreatic β cells