Serum vaspin levels are positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aims/Introduction: Vaspin is linked to obesity and its metabolic abnormalities. However, the role of vaspin serum levels in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the association between serum levels of vaspin and both DR and vision-threatening DR. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-center observational study from December 2018 to September 2019. We evaluated circulating serum levels of vaspin in 372 participants with type 2 diabetes. DR was screened through detailed ocular examination. DR patients were also divided two groups: vision-threatening DR and non-visionthreatening DR. The relationship between vaspin and DR was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the results are shown as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: The vaspin serum levels of 372 patients were obtained, with a median value of 1.50 ng/mL (interquartile range 0.94-2.18 ng/mL). The median age of those patients was 53 years (interquartile range 44-62 years), and 44.4% were women. Patients with DR and VDTR had significantly increased vaspin serum levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). A multivariable regression model found that patients with high levels of vaspin were approximately 1.85-fold (odds ratio for per unit increase 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.43-2.55; P < 0.001) more likely to experience DR, and 3.76-fold (odds ratio for per unit increase 3.76, 95% confidence interval 2.05-6.55; P < 0.001) more likely to experience VTDR. The predictive value of vaspin was stronger in women than in men. Conclusion: Higher vaspin serum levels were associated with an increased risk of DR and VDTR in patients with type 2 diabetes, which showed that vaspin is an important indicator factor for DR.

Evaluation of the Role of Vaspin and Insulin Resistance in Metabolic Syndrome

“…A positive association was found between vaspin, insulin, and HOMA IR in the study that came before this one. Several researchers, including El-Lebedy et al 24 , Rashad et al 25 , and Yang et al 26 .…”

“…This is in contrast to the traditional method of increasing glucose absorption via the insulin-mediated pathway 8 . Obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis were all linked to increased expression of the vaspin mRNA and blood levels 9 . Vaspin improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity while also acting as an insulin sensitizer and had anti-inflammatory characteristics.…”

The Role of Selected Adipocytokines in Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer

“…Vaspin is clinically relevant in inflammation, exhibiting pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory characteristics [ 148 , 284 ]. As a pro-inflammatory factor, vaspin can be synthesized by adipose tissue-derived macrophages and inhibit macrophage apoptosis induced by several stress factors.…”

The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Adipokines in Cardiometabolic Disorders: Moving beyond Adiponectin

“…A meta-analysis verified significantly higher vaspin concentrations in subjects with T2DM compared with non-diabetic subjects [76]. Increased vaspin concentrations in T2DM patients are also associated with the elevated risk of diabetic complications, such as CAD or diabetic retinopathy [77,78]. The vaspin levels decrease as insulin sensitivity improves through exercise, anti-diabetic medication such as metformin and rosiglitazone, and bariatric surgery [79][80][81][82].…”