Relationship between apolipoprotein M levels and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

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Jin Ook Chung1, Seon-Young Park2, Dong Jin Chung1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|April 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Higher levels of apolipoprotein M (apoM) are linked to diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients. This finding suggests apoM may play a role in the development of this diabetes complication.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is crucial for lipid transport and cholesterol mobilization.
  • Diabetic retinopathy is a significant complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), leading to vision impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma apolipoprotein M (apoM) levels and the presence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with T2DM.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 339 patients diagnosed with T2DM.
  • Plasma apoM levels were measured and compared between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy.
  • Logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for confounders like age, hypertension, diabetes duration, and HbA1c.

Main Results:

  • Patients with diabetic retinopathy had significantly higher median plasma apoM levels compared to those without (26.05 mg/L vs. 21.47 mg/L, p < 0.001).
  • Elevated plasma apoM levels were independently associated with diabetic retinopathy (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05-2.119; p = 0.027).
  • The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.657, indicating moderate predictive ability.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma apolipoprotein M levels show a significant positive association with diabetic retinopathy in patients with T2DM.
  • These findings suggest apoM may be a potential biomarker or play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords:
apolipoproteinsapolipoproteins Mdiabetes mellitusdiabeticlipidsretinopathytype 2

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