Serum vaspin levels in type 2 diabetic women in relation to microvascular complications

Vaspin is a novel adipokine that has insulin sensitizing effects. The association between serum vaspin levels and diabetic complications is unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum vaspin levels as related to glycemic status and the presence of complications in a group of type 2 diabetic women.

We evaluated 37 type 2 diabetic female patients and 37 control female subjects who were matched for age and body-mass index. Anthropometric measurements, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive protein, and serum vaspin levels were measured in each participant. Furthermore, the patients were evaluated for diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.

In diabetic patients, serum vaspin levels correlated positively with HbA1c and correlated negatively with insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment. The patients with HbA1c levels 7% (0.11+/-0.06 ng/ml versus 0.20+/-0.09 ng/ml, P<0.05). In patients with neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy, serum vaspin levels were lower than in patients without neuropathy (0.10+/-0.07 ng/ml versus 0.17+/-0.09 ng/ml, P=0.041), retinopathy (0.11+/-0.06 ng/ml versus 0.18+/-0.09 ng/ml, P=0.019), and nephropathy, (0.11+/-0.05 ng/ml versus 0.18+/-0.09 ng/ml, P=0.02). Diabetic patients receiving metformin therapy had lower vaspin levels than patients not receiving metformin.

Diabetic women with good glycemic control have lower levels of vaspin than those with poor glycemic control. However, presence of microvascular complications is also associated with low vaspin levels. In order to use serum vaspin levels as a marker, evaluating patients for complications and medications interfering with serum vaspin levels seems appropriate.