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Effect of obesity and glycemic control on serum lipocalins and insulin-like growth factor axis in type 2 diabetic patients

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Abstract

Obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and progressive decline in pancreatic β-cell function are major features of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Altered adipokines contribute to obesity-induced IR. Hence understanding of adipokines’ relation to obesity and glycemic control could be useful to improve disease outcomes. We aimed at determination of serum retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in T2DM patients with the impact of obesity and glycemic control on them and their relation to β-cell function. Serum insulin, RBP-4, LCN-2, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 estimated by ELISA were examined in 32 T2DM patients and age- and sex-matched 20 healthy controls. Significant elevation was observed in serum RBP-4 (P < 0.001), LCN-2 (P < 0.01), and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio (P < 0.05) in T2DM patients in comparison with healthy controls. There was no significant difference in them between nonobese and obese diabetics. However, RBP-4 and IGF/IGFBP-3 molar ratio were higher in uncontrolled than in controlled diabetic patients at P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively. Moreover, RBP-4, LCN-2, and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio were negatively correlated with β-cell function. In conclusion, serum RBP-4 and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio but not LCN-2 were prominently elevated with poor glycemic control rather than obesity in T2DM patients. Whereas, declining β-cell function is associated with elevation of serum RBP-4, LCN-2 as well as IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to appreciate the kind help of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Fahmy Abd-El Aziz, Prof. and Head of the Endocrinology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, for facilitating clinical samples and their data collection. This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

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  1. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Abassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt

    Hala O. El-Mesallamy, Nadia M. Hamdy & Al-aliaa M. Sallam

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  1. Hala O. El-Mesallamy
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  2. Nadia M. Hamdy
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Correspondence to Al-aliaa M. Sallam.

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El-Mesallamy, H.O., Hamdy, N.M. & Sallam, Aa.M. Effect of obesity and glycemic control on serum lipocalins and insulin-like growth factor axis in type 2 diabetic patients. Acta Diabetol 50, 679–685 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-012-0373-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-012-0373-6

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