Background
Apelin is an adipokine that may have an advantageous role in the prediction of early diabetic nephropathy. A few studies on apelin in diabetes have been performed and this research was performed to establish the connection between the apelinergic system and diabetic nephropathy. Materials and
Conclusion
Apelin levels in diabetics were elevated in the case of nephropathy, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia. This supports the relationship between the apelinergic system and diabetic nephropathy.
Methods
The research included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were equally divided into Group-I (diabetic nephropathy) and Group-II (non-diabetic nephropathy), and 30 healthy subjects in the control group (Group-III). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were calculated. FBG, 2 h-PPG, HbA1c, fasting lipids, urea, creatinine, eGFR, urine analysis, A/C ratio, and apelin levels were assessed.
Results
A statistically significant between-group difference in plasma apelin levels was found (P < 0.001). Apelin was the highest in Group-I than in Group-II relative to Group-III (325.79 ± 59.42 pg/mL, 162.83 ± 29.88 pg/mL, and 77.43 ± 8.44 pg/mL, respectively). Among diabetic patients, plasma apelin had a significantly positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.612), SBP (r = 0.427), DBP (r = 0.466), weight (r = 0.372), and height (r = 0.372), FBG (r = 0.684), 2 h-PPG (r = 0.744), HbA1C (r = 0.890), total (T)-cholesterol (r = 0.316), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C (r = 0.397), urea (r = 0.575), and creatinine (r = 0.591). A significantly negative correlation was observed between plasma apelin and HDL-C (r = -0.303), and eGFR (r = -0.566).