Low serum creatinine, a surrogate marker of muscle mass, correlates with insulin sensitivity in nonhuman primates.

Abstract

Decreased serum creatinine levels are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in humans, however, its association with muscle mass and insulin sensitivity have not been studied in NHPs. Retrospective data of 229 adult NHPs were studied for association of serum creatinine levels with muscle mass and onset of T2DM. Serum creatinine levels were positively correlated with lean muscle mass in nondiabetic (non-DM), male and female NHPs. Aged NHPs had significantly reduced lean muscle mass and corresponding creatinine levels compared to young age groups (p < .001). Creatinine was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in nonDM male NHPs and significant decrease in creatinine was observed in T2DM (p < .001) compared to same age group nonDM NHPs. The pathophysiology of T2DM in NHPs is similar to humans, low creatinine further provides utility of surrogate biomarkers of lower muscle mass and risk factor for T2DM NHPs.