Reduced serum level of leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 is associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy

AbstractBackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is an important pathway in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). A recent report showed that leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) suppresses the VEGF signaling in endothelial cells. However, the clinical relevance of LECT2 in DR is unknown. This study aimed to investigate serum LECT2 levels and the presence of DR.MethodsThe study included 230 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), 95 with DR and 135 without DR. Serum LECT2 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation, univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsSerum LECT2 levels were significantly lower in participants with DM having DR than in those not having DR (35.6±14.9ng/ml vs. 44.5±17.6ng/ml, P<0.001). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a significant association between serum LECT2 levels and the presence of DR (P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum LECT2 levels were independently related to DR (P<0.001).ConclusionsThese findings indicated that serum LECT2 level is negatively associated with the presence of DR and suggest that low circulating LECT2 level is a risk factor for DR

ApoE isoforms, treatment of diabetes and the risk of coronary heart disease

AIM: To analyze the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving standard medical treatment

Independent risk factors of rapid glomerular filtration rate decline in patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved kidney function and normoalbuminuria: A multicenter cohort study

Abstract Aims/Introduction Research on the incidence and underlying mechanisms of rapid renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria is limited. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of hemoglobin level as a risk factor for rapid decliners among patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 242 patients with type 2 diabetes with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normoalbuminuria (1 year. The annual rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline during the follow‐up period was calculated using least square regression analysis; rapid decliners defined at ≥3.3%/year. Risk factors associated with rapid decliners were identified using a logistic regression analysis of variables previously identified as risk factors of rapid decliners. Results The median follow‐up period was 6.7 years, and 34 patients showed rapid decliners. On multivariate analysis, lower baseline hemoglobin level was a risk factor of rapid decliners (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.99; P = 0.045). Furthermore, the baseline hemoglobin levels were correlated positively with iron and ferritin levels, implying that an impaired iron metabolism might cause lower hemoglobin levels in rapid decliners. Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria, lower hemoglobin levels were a risk factor for rapid decliners, where disturbed iron metabolism might precede the development of diabetic kidney disease