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Acute phase proteins and diabetes microvascular complications

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Abstract

The association of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and ferritin with diabetes microvascular complications has not been examined concurrently in people with type 2 diabetes. So, we carried out this study in order to investigate this association in a group of type 2 diabetic patients. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 242 people with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. All of the participants were evaluated for diabetes microvascular complications. Retinal status was evaluated by retinal color photography and indirect ophthalmoscopy exam with dilated pupils. Michigan neuropathy screening instrument was used for detection of peripheral neuropathy, and albumin/creatinine ratio in a spot urine sample was considered to diagnose diabetic nephropathy. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and ferritin were measured as indicators of acute phase proteins. The mean for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was 5.3 ± 13.02 mg/L, and for ferritin was 126.9 ± 114.4 ng/mL. Statistically significant difference was found between the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and diabetic nephropathy. Spearman’s correlation coefficients test revealed that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was positively correlated with diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.05, r = 0.14). However, such a correlation was not found for diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. Using binary logistic regression analysis, a significant odds ratio was defined for nephropathy and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level (OR = 2.62; CI = 1.13–6.06; P = 0.025). Our findings suggest that low-grade inflammation is an independent predictor of diabetic nephropathy and measurement of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein can be useful for early detection of high-risk individuals.

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Abbreviations

Alb:

Albumin

ETDRS:

Early treatment diabetic retinopathy

HbA1C:

Glycosylated hemoglobin

hs-CRP:

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein

MNSI:

Michigan neuropathy screening instrument

OGLDs:

Oral glucose-lowering drugs

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the staff who greatly helped us to complete the project especially Mrs. Razieh Shahrokhi and Ms. Leila Mahmoodi. In addition, we appreciate all the people who contributed to this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Author contributions

1. Study conception/design: Khamseh, Malek, Najafi, and Ebrahim Valojerdi

2. Data collection/analysis: Najafi, Ebrahim Valojerdi, Mrs. Shahrokhi, and Ms. Mahmoodi

3. Drafting of manuscript: Khamseh, Malek, Najafi, and Ebrahim Valojerdi

4. Critical revisions for important intellectual content and administrative/technical/material support: Khamseh, Malek, and Najafi

5. Supervision: Khamseh, Malek, and Najafi

6. Statistical expertise: Khamseh, Malek, Ebrahim Valojerdi, and Najafi.

Funding

This study was funded and supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Grant No. 92-01-122-21448.

Ethical code

This project was accepted by the ethical committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, ethical code: 39661, 31/10/2013

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrine Research Center (Firouzgar), Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Firouzgar alley, Valadi St., Behafarin St., Karimkhan Ave., Vali- Asr Sq., Tehran, Iran, 15937-48711

    Laily Najafi, Mojtaba Malek, Ameneh Ebrahim Valojerdi & Mohammad E. Khamseh

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  1. Laily Najafi
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  2. Mojtaba Malek
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Correspondence to Mohammad E. Khamseh.

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Najafi, L., Malek, M., Valojerdi, A.E. et al. Acute phase proteins and diabetes microvascular complications. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 36, 10–17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-015-0389-x

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