Tumour protein 53 is linked with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Tumour protein p53 (TP53) is a stress sensitive transcription factor responsible for the control of cell survival and death to prevent from tumour formation. In vitro and animal studies have indicated that TP53 also responds to metabolic changes and influences metabolic pathways. This study was undertaken to determine the serum level of TP53 and its correlations with clinical and biochemical parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in comparison to non-diabetic control individuals.

An observational study was conducted between December 2009 and November 2013 to evaluate TP53 serum level using ELISA. Cases (n=225) were defined as patients who were diagnosed with T2DM. Non-diabetic controls (n=255) were matched by age and sex. Multivariable modelling using logistic regression examined associations between clinical characteristics and TP53 level or T2DM predication was performed.

Serum TP53 level was significantly higher in T2DM patients as compared to non-diabetic healthy controls (1.69 vs 2.07 ng/ml, P<0.001). In T2DM patients, the level of TP53 increased with the age, duration of diabetes and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) value. A logistic regression analysis revealed that increased serum TP53 level was significantly associated with family history of diabetes, age and WHR. Moreover, TP53, triglyceride and body mass index could be used to predict T2DM.

Our results suggest that TP53 may be linked with T2DM. The fluctuations of serum TP53 level may reflect metabolic and oxidative stress associated with chronic hyperglycaemia. Further studies need to be done to confirm these findings.