Reduced 25(OH) Vitamin D Association with Lower Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Blood Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Introduction: Reduced circulating levels of 25(OH)VD are associated with an increased incidence of chronic lung diseases. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is needed to maintain healthy lung function.Objective: This study examined the hypothesis that circulating levels of AAT are lower in adult type 2 diabetic patients and that a positive association exists between circulating AAT levels and 25(OH)VD levels in these patients.Methods: Fasting blood was obtained after written informed consent from type 2 diabetic patients (n = 80) and normal siblings or volunteers (n = 22) attending clinics at LSUHSC according to the protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human studies. Plasma AAT and 25(OH)VD levels were determined using ELISA kits. HbA_1c levels and chemistry profiles were analyzed at the clinical laboratory of LSUHSC hospital.Results: ATT and 25(OH)VD levels were significantly lower in type 2 diabetic patients compared with those of age-matched healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between 25(OH)VD and ATT deficiency. AAT levels showed significant positive correlation with HDL cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetic patients. There was no correlation between AAT levels and those of HbA_1c or with the duration of diabetes of T2D patients.Conclusions: These results suggest that 25(OH)VD deficiency may predispose type 2 diabetic patients to AAT deficiency. Whether reduced levels of circulating AAT indeed contribute to the increased risk for lung dysfunction in subjects with type 2 diabetes needs further investigation.