Are adropin gene expression levels a precursor to type 2 diabetes mellitus in prediabetic patients?

This study investigated the relationship between adropin and glucose metabolism by evaluating ENHO gene expression and serum adropin levels in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), prediabetes, and healthy controls, and their potential as biomarkers for early diagnosis.

A total of 107 participants were enrolled, including 40 T2DM patients, 26 with prediabetes, and 41 healthy controls. Serum adropin levels were measured using ELISA, and ENHO gene expression levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR from peripheral blood samples. Biochemical parameters, including glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, were analyzed. Statistical comparisons between groups, correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted.

ENHO gene expression levels were significantly higher in the prediabetes group than in controls and T2DM, whereas it was lower in T2DM patients than in controls. Serum adropin levels were significantly elevated in the T2DM group compared with prediabetes and controls, but no difference was observed between prediabetes and controls. Glucose was negatively correlated with ENHO expression in prediabetes and with serum adropin in T2DM. ENHO expression was a significant predictor of T2DM progression, demonstrating high diagnostic potential.

The findings suggest that ENHO gene expression level may increase in prediabetes as a compensatory mechanism, whereas it decreases in T2DM, indicating disease progression. The paradoxical elevation of serum adropin in T2DM may reflect metabolic alterations. ENHO expression could serve as a potential biomarker for identifying individuals at risk of developing T2DM, warranting further large-scale studies.