Serum Omentin-1 Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and their Correlation with Lipid Profile: A Case-control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterised by a variable degree of insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia. Serum omentin-1, an important adipocytokine, plays a role in maintaining tissue sensitivity to insulin and lipid metabolism. Therefore, circulating omentin-1 can serve as a biomarker for obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare serum omentin-1 levels between type 2 diabetic cases and non diabetic controls, and to investigate the correlation of omentin-1 levels with the lipid profile. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at Government Medical College, Trivandrum, from December 2017 to November 2018. The study included 30 T2DM patients and 30 non diabetic controls. Serum omentin-1 levels, fasting blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), and serum lipid profile were measured in all study subjects. Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to assess the correlation between variables. Chi-square test was performed to analyse age and sex distribution among the study groups. Results: The mean age of diabetic cases was 56.7±7.9 years, while the mean age of non diabetic controls was 52.9±5.5 years. Among the subjects, 43% of diabetics and 50% of non diabetics were male, while 57% of diabetics and 50% of non diabetics were female. The mean value of serum omentin-1 levels was significantly lower in the diabetic population (273.37±60.18 ng/mL) compared to the non diabetic controls (573.4±51.6 ng/mL) with a p-value of <0.001. Serum omentin-1 showed a significantly strong negative correlation with total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides, and a positive correlation with high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Conclusion: In the present study, serum omentin-1 levels were significantly lower in the diabetic population, and their lipid profile exhibited abnormal values. This suggests that omentin promotes insulin sensitivity and affects lipid metabolism, thus preventing insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in T2DM patients. Therefore, omentin may play a role in reducing cardiovascular complications.