Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods
10:40

Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods

Published on: December 21, 2019

26.6K

Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 4 (SFRP4) is Elevated in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

J M Brix1, E C Krzizek1, C Hoebaus2

  • 1Department of Medicine I, Rudolfstiftung Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|February 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) is elevated in patients with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. This suggests SFRP4 may indicate general islet dysfunction and inflammation across diabetes types.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) has been linked to islet inflammation and impaired insulin secretion.
  • Previous studies suggest SFRP4 is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), elevated HbA1c, and reduced insulin secretion.
  • SFRP4 has not been previously investigated across various diabetes types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate SFRP4 levels in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), T2D, and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
  • To determine if SFRP4 levels differ between diabetic patients and healthy controls.
  • To explore correlations between SFRP4 levels and clinical parameters in diabetes patients.

Main Methods:

  • SFRP4 levels were measured using ELISA in 179 patients (46 T1D, 55 T2D, 37 LADA) and their respective controls.
  • Anthropometric data, lipids, and renal parameters were assessed.
  • Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of SFRP4 levels.

Main Results:

  • Patients with T2D, LADA, and T1D exhibited significantly higher SFRP4 levels compared to healthy controls.
  • SFRP4 levels showed correlations with age, BMI, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
  • Multivariate analysis identified HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI as predictors of SFRP4.

Conclusions:

  • SFRP4 is significantly elevated in patients across different diabetes types (T1D, T2D, LADA).
  • Increased SFRP4 suggests a general role in islet dysfunction and subclinical inflammation, irrespective of diabetes type.
  • SFRP4 may serve as a potential biomarker for islet dysfunction in diabetes.

More Related Videos

Observing Islet Function and Islet-Immune Cell Interactions in Live Pancreatic Tissue Slices05:51

Observing Islet Function and Islet-Immune Cell Interactions in Live Pancreatic Tissue Slices

Published on: April 12, 2021

4.8K
Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy08:47

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy

Published on: December 7, 2017

10.3K

Related Concept Videos

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
1.0K
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
7.3K
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...
3.0K
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
4.3K
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
16.9K
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
5.9K