Abstract
ObjectivesCartonectin is a novel adipokine of the C1q complement/TNF-related protein (CTRP) superfamily, with glucose lowering effects, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties. We sought to investigate circulating cartonectin concentrations in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as age and BMI matched control subjects. We also examined the effects of a 2 hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on serum cartonectin concentrations in T2DM subjects.DesignCross-sectional study [newly diagnosed (first discovery, not on any treatments) T2DM (n = 47) and control (n = 63) subjects]. Serum cartonectin was measured by ELISA.ResultsSerum cartonectin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with T2DM compared to controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, serum cartonectin was significantly negatively correlated with glucose and CRP, and significantly positively correlated with leptin, in all subjects (n = 110). When subjected to multiple regression analysis, none of these variables were predictive of serum cartonectin (P>0.05). There were no significant correlations in T2DM subjects (n = 47). In control subjects (n = 63), serum cartonectin was significantly negatively correlated with CRP, and significantly positively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin. However, when subjected to multiple regression analysis, none of these variables were predictive of serum cartonectin (P>0.05). Finally, serum cartonectin concentrations were significantly lower in T2DM subjects after a 2 hour 75 g OGTT (P<0.01).ConclusionsCartonectin may serve as a novel biomarker for the prediction and early diagnosis of T2DM patients. Furthermore, cartonectin and/or pharmacological agents that increase circulating cartonectin levels can represent a new therapeutic field in the treatment of T2DM patients. Further research is needed to clarify these points.
Highlights
Obesity has achieved pandemic proportions and left unchecked, leads to atherosclerosis by causing a repertoire of metabolic and cardiovascular perturbations such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia and hypertension [1]
When subjected to multiple regression analysis, none of these variables were predictive of serum cartonectin (P.0.05)
Serum cartonectin concentrations were significantly lower in T2DM subjects after a 2 hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (P,0.01)
Summary
Obesity has achieved pandemic proportions and left unchecked, leads to atherosclerosis by causing a repertoire of metabolic and cardiovascular perturbations such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia and hypertension [1]. Perturbations in adipokine concentrations have been reported in insulin resistant states such as gestational diabetes mellitus [4] and women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) [5]. There has been intense interest in the adipokines of the C1q complement/TNF-related protein (CTRP) superfamily. Foremost in this group is the adipokine adiponectin that circulates at high concentrations, and has insulin sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties [6]. CTRP3 ( known as cartonectin, cartducin, CORS-26) was reported as a novel adipokine, concentrations of which were lower in diet induced obese mice, with glucose lowering effects achieved by suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis [9]. Zhou et al had reported that cartonectin promotes phosphate-induced smooth muscle vascular calcification [20]
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