Abstract
BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-2 (LRP2), also called megalin, is a multi-ligand receptor of the LDL receptor gene family mediating reabsorption of ligands like Apo-A1. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may possibly disrupt megalin functions as it is found to be regulated by insulin. This might cause cardiovascular complications due to derangement in lipoprotein metabolism. The current study was carried out to assess the serum megalin levels among T2DM individuals with cardiovascular complications in the Indian population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 80 patients with T2DM. 40 T2DM patients with known cardiovascular disease were selected as cases and 40 of those without evidence of cardiovascular disease were selected as controls. Demographic details, DM duration and class of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) used were collected from medical records while details of lipid profile, fasting glucose, serum creatinine and urea were collected from laboratory information system. Serum megalin levels were estimated using left-over samples by ELISA. RESULTS: The study groups showed no statistical significance in baseline laboratory parameters except for serum creatinine and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Mean serum megalin levels were statistically insignificant between cases and controls (0.91 ± 0.78 ng/mL vs. 0.85 ± 0.69 ng/mL, P 0.74).The subgroup analysis of serum megalin levels based on OHA consumption among cases was also statistically insignificant (P 0.056). Pearson's correlational analysis was statistically insignificant between serum megalin and lipid profile parameters among cases (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum megalin alone may not serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular disease.