The Correlation of Lipocalin-2 and Retinol Binding Protein-4 with the Inflammatory State in Iraqi Patients with T2DM

Abstract

Adipokines are associated with insulin resistance and obesity-related metabolic
disorders in many diseases. The levels of Lipocalin-2 and Retinol binding protein-4
were evaluated in sera of patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to study the
association between them and the inflammatory state as established by high levels of
C - reactive protein and with atherogenicity. Serum Lipocalin-2 and Retinol binding
protein-4 levels measured in 73 subjects: 48 patients with T2DM with the mean
level of C- reactive protein 23.989 mg/dL. For comparison, 25 age- and gendermatched
control participants enrolled with C- reactive protein CRP level 1.476
mg/dL. The results showed that circulating Lipocalin-2, and Retinol binding protein-
4 levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients when compared with that of the
control group (78.688vs.38.463ng/mL) and (0.0499vs.0.041μg/mL; P<0.05)
respectively. Serum lipocalin-2 levels of patients group were negatively associated
with RBP-4 (r= -0.248; P<0.039), and positively correlated with CRP (r=0.512;
P<0.005) and with atherogenic index (AIP). Lipocalin-2, but not RBP-4, was
independently associated with inflammatory state and atherogenicity that confirm
the presence of cardiovascular diseases risk. A study with a large number of patients
is needed to determine serum lipocalin-2 value as an early predictor for the
development of cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetes patients.