Abstract
BackgroundThe lipocalin family proteins, including lipocalin-2 and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), are adipokines closely associated with obesity-related metabolic disorders. In this study, we evaluated the association of serum lipocalin-2 and RBP4 with intima-media thickness (IMT) and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods and ResultsSerum levels of lipocalin-2 and RBP4 were measured in 284 type 2 diabetic patients. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by IMT at carotid, femoral and iliac arteries with ultrasound. Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis showed significantly higher circulating concentrations of lipocalin-2 and RBP4 when compared to those without [112.9 (86.4 to 202.1) µg/L versus 77.2(55.0–150.4) µg/L, 37.1(32.3–40.8) mg/L versus 23.2(20.1–29.2) mg/L, respectively; P = 0.002, P<0.001, respectively]. Moreover, positive correlations were observed between carotid IMT and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.170, P = 0.018) or RBP4 (r = 0.132, P = 0.040), femoral IMT and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.160, P = 0.027), as well as between iliac IMT and RBP4 (r = 0.241, P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis further demonstrated that these two adipokines were independent risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.ConclusionCirculating levels of lipocalin-2 and RBP4 are positively correlated with carotid IMT and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes, which suggests a potential role of these two lipid-binding chaperones in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes.
Highlights
Atherosclerotic disease is the primary cause of myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, which remains as the leading cause of death worldwide [1]
Circulating levels of lipocalin-2 and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) are positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes, which suggests a potential role of these two lipid-binding chaperones in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes
Serum lipocalin-2 and RBP4 levels were significantly higher in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis when compared to those in patients without [112.9 (86.4 to 202.1) mg/L versus 77.2(55.0–150.4) mg/L, 37.1(32.3– 40.8) mg/L versus 23.2(20.1–29.2) mg/L, respectively; P = 0.002, P,0.001, respectively]
Summary
Serum levels of lipocalin-2 and RBP4 were measured in 284 type 2 diabetic patients. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by IMT at carotid, femoral and iliac arteries with ultrasound. Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis showed significantly higher circulating concentrations of lipocalin-2 and RBP4 when compared to those without [112.9 (86.4 to 202.1) mg/L versus 77.2(55.0–150.4) mg/L, 37.1(32.3–40.8) mg/L versus 23.2(20.1–29.2) mg/L, respectively; P = 0.002, P,0.001, respectively]. Positive correlations were observed between carotid IMT and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.170, P = 0.018) or RBP4 (r = 0.132, P = 0.040), femoral IMT and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.160, P = 0.027), as well as between iliac IMT and RBP4 (r = 0.241, P,0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis further demonstrated that these two adipokines were independent risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes
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